The formal surrender ceremony ending World War II took place on the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945, with the event lasting 23 minutes. Japanese representatives, led by Foreign Minister Mamoru Shigemitsu, signed the Instrument of Surrender first, followed by General Douglas MacArthur as the Supreme Allied Commander and other Allied representatives. The ceremony was broadcast globally and concluded with a large flyover of over 1,200 Allied aircraft. Key events of the ceremony Date

Happy 50th Anniversary to Nimitz-Class Carriers! America is a maritime nation — and for 250 years, the U.S. Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom. For the past 50 years, Nimitz-class carriers have defined American sea power, projecting strength, securing peace, and answering the call worldwide. As we commemorate 250 years of Navy service to the Nation, USS Nimitz (CVN 68) stands as a proud symbol of our heritage and honors the legacy of Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz — a legendary Wor

The USS Nimitz (CVN-68) is the lead ship of her class of nuclear-powered supercarriers, commissioned in 1975 and named for Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, a WWII Pacific Fleet commander, serving as a dominant force in global power projection for nearly 50 years, participating in major conflicts like Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom, alongside numerous Cold War deployments and humanitarian missions, from the Iranian Hostage Crisis rescue attempt (Operation Evening Light) in 1980

Take a tour of our campus! The National Museum of the Pacific War spans 6 acres in the heart of Fredericksburg TX, hometown to Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz. From our Pacific Combat Zone to our George H.W. Bush Gallery, we are aim to connect guests to the stories of those affected by WWII in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. | National Museum of the Pacific War