A Timeline of Diplomatic Ruptures, Unannounced Invasions, Declarations of War, Armistices and Surrenders. 1939 September 1 Germany invades Poland. "For months we have been suffering under the torture of a problem which the Versailles Diktat created - a problem which has deteriorated until it becomes intolerable for us. Danzig was and is a Germany city. The Corridor was and is German. Both these territories owe their cultural development exclusively to the German people. Danzig was separated from us, the Corridor was annexed by Poland. As in other German territories of the East, all German minorities living there have been ill-treated in the most distressing manner. ...proposals for mediation have failed because in the meanwhile there, first of all, came as an answer the sudden Polish general mobilization, followed by more Polish atrocities. These were again repeated last night. Recently in one night there were as many as twenty-one frontier incidents; last night there were fourteen, of which three were serious. I have, therefore, resolved to speak to Poland in the same language that Poland for months past has used towards us. This night for the first time Polish regular soldiers fired on our territory. Since 5:45 a.m. we have been returning fire, and from now on bombs will be met by bombs. Whoever fights with poison gas will be fought with poison gas." Excerpts from an Address by Chancellor Adolf Hitler to the Reichstag

September 1, 1939 "Great Britain and France are not Powers that can disown, or dream of disowning, their signatures. And indeed, Gentlemen, it is not only the honor of our country: it is also the protection of its vital interests that is at stake. For a France which should allow this aggression to be carried out would very soon find itself a scorned, an isolated, a discredited France, without allies and without support, and doubtless, would soon herself be exposed to a formidable attack. This is the question I lay before the French nation, and all nations. At the very moment of the aggression against Poland, what value has the guarantee, once more renewed for our eastern frontier, for our Alsace, for our Lorraine, after repudiation of the guarantees given in turn to Austria, Czechoslovakia, and Poland?" excerpts from an address to the Chamber of Deputies by

Premier Edouard Daladier,

September 2, 1939 September 3 Great Britain, France, Australia and New Zealand declare war on Germany Egypt breaks diplomatic relations with Germany. "This morning, the British Ambassador in Berlin handed the German Government a final note, stating that unless we heard from them by 11 O'clock that they were prepared at once to withdraw their troops from Poland a state of war would exist between us. I have to tell you now that no such undertaking has been received and that consequently this country is at war with Germany." Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain radio broadcast Sept. 3, 1939 "...I must, on behalf of my Government, remind you for the last time of the heavy responsibility assumed by the Government of the Reich by entering, without a declaration of war, into hostilities against Poland and in not acting upon the suggestion made by the Governments of the French Republic and of His Britannic Majesty to suspend all aggressive action against Poland and to declare itself ready to withdraw its forces promptly from Polish territory.

I have the painful duty to notify you that as from today, September 3, at 5 p.m., the French Government will find itself obliged to fulfill the obligations that France has contracted towards Poland, and which are known to the German Government." Ambassador Robert Coulondre to German Foreign Minister von Ribbentrop

September 3, 1939 September 6 The Union of South Africa declares war on Germany. September 10 Canada declares war on Germany. September 17 The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics invades Poland. November 30 The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics invades Finland. 1940 March 12 Finland signs peace treaty with Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. April 8 Germany invades Denmark and Norway. Norway declares war on Germany. May 10 Germany invades Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Denmark breaks diplomatic relations with the Netherlands. June 10 Italy declares war on France and Great Britain. June 11 France declares war on Italy. Great Britain, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the Union of South Africa at war with Italy. June 12 Egypt breaks diplomatic relations with Italy. June 13 Norway breaks diplomatic relations with Italy. June 22 France signs an armistice with Germany. June 24 France signs an armistice with Italy. July 7 Vichy France breaks diplomatic relations with Great Britain. July 15 Denmark breaks diplomatic relations with Belgium and Norway. The Netherlands breaks diplomatic relations with Denmark. September 5 Vichy France breaks diplomatic relations with Belgium, the Netherlands and Norway. Luxembourg breaks diplomatic relations with Vichy France. September 22 Japanese troops occupy French Indochina. September 23 Vichy France breaks diplomatic relations with Poland. October 28 Italy invades Greece. November 5 Poland breaks diplomatic relations with Romania. November 13 Poland breaks diplomatic relations with Italy. November 23 Belgium declares war on Italy. 1941 January 1 Poland breaks diplomatic relations with Hungary. February 11 The Netherlands breaks diplomatic relations with Romania. February 12 Belgium breaks diplomatic relations with Romania. February 21 Norway breaks diplomatic relations with Romania. March 4 Bulgaria breaks diplomatic relations with Belgium, the Netherlands and Poland. March 5 Belgium and Poland break diplomatic relations with Bulgaria. March 9 The Netherlands breaks diplomatic relations with Bulgaria. April 6 Germany invades Greece and Yugoslavia. Italy declares war on Yugoslavia. April 7 Great Britain and Greece break diplomatic relations with Hungary. Greece breaks diplomatic relations with Bulgaria. April 9 The Netherlands breaks diplomatic relations with Hungary. April 10 Yugoslavia invaded by Hungary. April 13 Japan signs five year neutrality pact with Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. April 19 British forces occupy Iraqi port of Basra under terms of Anglo-Iraqi Treaty. April 22 Yugoslavia breaks diplomatic relations with Finland. April 23 Greece signs armistice with Axis Powers. April 24 Bulgaria declares war on Greece, Hungary and Yugoslavia. May 9 The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics breaks diplomatic relations with Belgium, Norway and Yugoslavia. June 3 The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics breaks diplomatic relations with Greece. June 22 Germany, Italy, Romania and Bulgaria declare war on the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Slovakia breaks diplomatic relations with Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. June 24 Finland breaks diplomatic relations with Poland. Hungary breaks diplomatic relations with Greece. June 25 Finland declares war on the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. June 26 Denmark breaks diplomatic relations with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. June 27 Hungary declares war on the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. June 28 The Netherlands breaks diplomatic relations with Finland. June 29 Belgium breaks diplomatic relations with Finland. June 30 Vichy France breaks diplomatic relations with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. July 2 China breaks diplomatic relations with Germany and Italy. July 7 Iceland occupied by the United States. July 28 Finland breaks diplomatic relations with Great Britain. July 30 Poland signs peace treaty with Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. August 1 Great Britain breaks diplomatic relations with Finland. August 5 The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics re-establishes diplomatic relations with Greece and Norway. August 7 The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics re-establishes diplomatic relations with Belgium. August 22 Vichy France breaks diplomatic relations with Yugoslavia. August 25 Iran invaded by Great Britain and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. September 9 Iran accepts British and Soviet terms of occupation. September 16 Iran brakes diplomatic relations with Bulgaria, Hungary, Italy and Romania. October 5 Japan breaks diplomatic relations with Poland. November 16 Iraq breaks diplomatic relations with Vichy France. December 6 Finland and Romania declare war on Great Britain. December 7 Japan declares war on the United States of America, Great Britain, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the Union of South Africa. Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand declare war on Finland, Hungary and Romania. Canada declares war on Finland, Hungary, Japan and Romania. Panama declares war on Japan. Greece breaks diplomatic relations with Japan. Nicaragua breaks diplomatic relations with Vichy France. Norway breaks relations with Finland. Yugoslavia at war with Japan. December 8 The United States of America, Great Britain, Australia, Costa Rica, The Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, The Netherlands, New Zealand and Nicaragua declare war on Japan. "Yesterday, December 7, 1941, a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan. The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with the Government and its Emperor looking towards the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after the Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador and his colleague delivered to the Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. While the reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or armed attack. It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace. The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. Very many American lives have been lost. In addition American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu. Yesterday the Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya. Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong. Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam. Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands. Last night the Japanese attacked Wake Island. This morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island. Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation. As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense. Always will we remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory. I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again. Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger. With confidence in our armed forces - with the unbounded determination of our people - we will gain the inevitable triumph - so help us God. I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7th, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire." Franklin Delano Roosevelt,

Address to a Joint Session of the Congress

December 8, 1941 "Whereas the Imperial Government of Japan has committed unprovoked acts of war against the Government and the people of the United States of America: Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled. That the state of war between the United States and the Imperial Government of Japan which has been thrust upon the United States is hereby formally declared; and the President is hereby authorized and directed to employ the entire naval and military forces of the United States and the resources of the Government to carry on war against the Imperial Government of Japan; and, to bring the conflict to a successful termination, all of the resources of the country are hereby pledged by the Congress of the United States." Joint Resolution approved by the Congress

December 8, 1941, 4:10 p.m. Eastern Standard Time The Union of South Africa declares war on Finland, Hungary, Japan and Romania. Belgium, Colombia and Mexico break diplomatic relations with Japan. Free French National Council declares war on Germany. Manchukuo declares war on the United States. December 9 China declares war with Germany, Italy and Japan. Cuba and Guatemala declare war on Japan. Egypt and Norway break diplomatic relations with Japan. The Netherlands breaks diplomatic relations with Thailand. December 11 Germany and Italy declare war on the United States of America. "The of the United States having violated in the most flagrant manner and in ever-increasing measure all rules of neutrality in favor of the adversaries of Germany and having continually been guilty of the most severe provocations toward Germany and since the outbreak of the European war, provoked by the British declaration of war against Germany on September 3, 1939, has finally resorted to open military acts of aggression. On September 11, 1941, the President of the United States publicly declared that he had ordered the American Navy and Air Force to shoot on sight at any German war vessel. In his speech of October 27, 1941, he once more expressly affirmed that this order was in force. Acting under this order, vessels of the American Navy, since early September 1941, have systematically attacked German naval forces. Thus, American destroyers, as for instance the Greer, the Kearny and the Rueben James, have opened fire on German submarines according to plan. The Secretary of the American Navy, Mr. Knox, himself confirmed that American destroyers attacked German submarines. Furthermore, the naval forces of the United States, under order of their Government and contrary to international law have treated and seized German merchant vessels on the high seas as enemy ships. The German Government therefore establishes the following facts: Although Germany on her part has strictly adhered to the rules of international law in her relations with the United States during every period of the present war, the Government of the United States from initial violations of neutrality has finally proceeded to open acts of war against Germany. The Government of the United States has thereby virtually created a state of war. The German Government, consequently, discontinues diplomatic relations with the United States of America and declares that under these circumstances brought about by President Roosevelt, Germany too, as from today, considers herself as being in a state of war with the United States of America. Accept, Mr. Charge d'Affairs, the expression of my high consideration." Declaration delivered December 11, 1941 The United States of America, Costa Rica, Cuba, The Dominican Republic, Guatemala and Nicaragua declare war on Germany and Italy. "On the morning of December 11 the Government of Germany, pursuing the course of world conquest, declared war on the United States. The long-known and the long-expected has thus taken place. The forces endeavoring to enslave the entire world now are moving toward this hemisphere. Never before has there been a greater challenge to life, liberty and civilization. Delay invites great danger. Rapid and united effort by all of the peoples of the world who are determined to remain free will insure a world victory of the forces of justice and righteousness over the forces of savagery and of barbarism. Italy also has declared war against the United States. I therefore request the Congress to recognize a state of war between the United States and Germany, and between the United States and Italy." Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Message to the Congress

December 11, 1941 "Whereas the Government of Germany has formally declared war against the government and people of the United States of America: Therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that the state of war between the United States and the Government of Germany which has thus been thrust upon the United States is hereby formally declared; and the President is hereby authorized and directed to employ the entire naval and military forces of the government to carry on war against the Government of Germany; and to bring the conflict to a successful termination, all of the resources of the country are hereby pledged by the Congress of the United States." Joint Resolution of the Congress Approved, December 11, 1941 Hungary breaks diplomatic relations with the United States of America. Mexico breaks relations with Germany and Italy. The Netherlands declares war on Italy. Poland declares war on Japan. December 12 Bulgaria, Hungary and Slovakia declare war on the United States of America and Great Britain. Haiti, El Salvador and Panama declare war on Germany and Italy. Romania declares war on the United States of America. December 13 Great Britain, New Zealand and the Union of South Africa declare war on Bulgaria. Honduras declares war on Germany and Italy. Italy declares war on Cuba and Guatemala. December 14 Croatia declares war on the United States of America. December 15 Egypt breaks diplomatic relations with Hungary and Romania. December 16 Czechoslovakia declares war on all countries at war with the United States of America, Great Britain and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. December 17 Albania declares war on the United States of America. December 19 Colombia breaks relations with Germany and Italy. Mexico breaks diplomatic relations with Hungary. Nicaragua declares war on Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania. December 20 Belgium declares war on Japan. Mexico breaks diplomatic relations with Bulgaria. December 24 Haiti declares war on Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania. December 31 Venezuela breaks diplomatic relations with Germany, Italy and Japan. 1942 January 5 Egypt breaks diplomatic relations with Bulgaria and Finland. January 6 Australia declares war on Bulgaria. Egypt breaks diplomatic relations with Vichy France. January 11 Japan declares war on The Netherlands. January 24 Peru breaks diplomatic relations with Germany, Italy and Japan. January 25 Great Britain, New Zealand and the Union of South Africa declare war on Thailand. Thailand declares war on the United States of America and Great Britain. Uruguay breaks diplomatic relations with Germany, Italy and Japan. January 28 Brazil and Paraguay break diplomatic relations with Germany, Italy and Japan. January 29 Ecuador breaks diplomatic relations with Germany, Italy and Japan. February 5 Iran breaks diplomatic relations with Vichy France. April 13 Iran breaks diplomatic relations with Japan. April 23 The Union of South Africa breaks diplomatic relations with Vichy France. March 2 Australia declares war on Thailand. Hungary breaks diplomatic relations with Brazil. March 6 Romania breaks diplomatic relations with Brazil. May 4 Hungary breaks diplomatic relations with Uruguay. May 15 Costa Rica breaks diplomatic relations with Hungary and Romania. May 22 Mexico declares war on Germany, Italy and Japan. June 5 The United States of America declares war on Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania. July 8 Vichy France breaks diplomatic relations with Greece. August 22 Brazil declares war on Germany and Italy. August 29 Denmark placed under German martial law, King Christian interned, cabinet resigns. November 8 Vichy France breaks diplomatic relations with the United States of America. November 9 Canada, Cuba and Mexico break diplomatic relations with Vichy France. November 10 Haiti breaks diplomatic relations with Vichy France. November 11 Dominican Republic breaks diplomatic relations with Vichy France. Germany and Italy invade unoccupied zone of France. November 12 Guatemala breaks diplomatic relations with Vichy France. November 13 Brazil, El Salvador, Honduras and Panama break diplomatic relations with Vichy France. November 17 New Zealand breaks diplomatic relations with Vichy France. November 26 Colombia breaks diplomatic relations with Vichy France. November 27 Venezuela breaks diplomatic relations with Vichy France. December 14 Ethiopia declares war on Germany, Italy and Japan. 1943 January 9 Japanese puppet "National Government of China" in Nanking declares war on the United States of America and Great Britain. January 17 Iraq declares war on German, Italy and Japan. January 20 Chile breaks diplomatic relations with Germany, Italy and Japan. January 26 Peru breaks diplomatic relations with Vichy France. April 7 Bolivia declares war on the Axis Powers by Presidential decree. April 25 The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics breaks diplomatic relations with Poland. May 12 Uruguay breaks diplomatic relations with Vichy France. May 18 Chile breaks diplomatic relations with Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and Vichy France. August 1 Burma declares war on Great Britain and the United States of America. China breaks diplomatic relations with Vichy France. September 3 Italy signs military armistice with the Allied Powers. September 8 Italy signs unconditional surrender to the Allies at 6:30 p.m. September 9 Iran declares war on Germany. October 12 Portugal remains neutral but grants bases in the Azores to Great Britain. October 13 Italy declares war on Germany. "Two hours ago Italy declared war on Germany. A proclamation by Marshal Badoglio brands the Germans with savagery against the civil population and says there can be no peace while a single German remains on Italian soil. Italy's new step has been acknowledged in London, Washington and Moscow. Her status will be that of a co-belligerent and not an ally." BBC Newscast, October 13, 1943 November 26 Colombian senate declares state of belligerency with Germany. December 4 Bolivian cabinet declares war on Axis Powers. 1944 January 26 Argentina breaks diplomatic relations with Germany and Japan. Bolivia breaks diplomatic relations with Germany, Italy and Japan. January 27 Liberia declares war on Germany and Japan. February 4 Argentina breaks diplomatic relations with Bulgaria, Vichy France, Hungary and Romania. March 20 Germany occupies Hungary. March 27 Argentina declares war on Germany and Japan. August 2 Turkey breaks diplomatic relations with Germany. August 23 Romania accepts armistice terms offered by the United States of America, Great Britain and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. August 25 Romania declares war on Germany. August 26 Bulgaria declares itself neutral (not recognized by the Allies). September 5 The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics declares war on Bulgaria. September 7 Hungary declares war on Romania. Romania declares war on Hungary. September 9 Bulgaria signs armistice with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. September 12 Romania signs armistice with the Allies. September 19 Finland signs armistice with Great Britain and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics Finland breaks diplomatic relations with Hungary, Croatia and Slovakia. September 21 San Marino declares war on Germany. September 22 Finland breaks diplomatic relations with Japan. October 28 Bulgaria signs armistice with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the United States of America and Great Britain. 1945 January 20 Hungary signs armistice with United States of America, Great Britain and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Hungary declares war on Germany. February 2 Ecuador announces that it has been at war with Japan since Dec. 7, 1941. February 7 Paraguay declares war on Germany and Japan. February 12 Peru in state of belligerency with Germany and Japan. February 15 Venezuela and Uruguay declare war on Germany and Japan. February 23 Turkey declares war on Germany and Japan effective Mar. 1, 1945. February 24 Egypt declares war on Germany and Japan. February 26 Syria declares war on Germany and Japan. February 27 Lebanon declares war on Germany and Japan. March 1 Iran declares war on Japan retroactive to Feb. 28, 1945. Saudi Arabia declares war on Japan. March 3 Finland declares war on Germany retroactive to Sept. 15, 1944. March 7 Romania declares war on Japan. April 11 Chile declares war on Japan. Spain breaks diplomatic relations with Japan. May 4 German troops in Denmark surrender. German troops in the Netherlands surrender. "The German command agrees to the surrender of all German armed forces in Holland, in northwest Germany including the Frislian Islands and Heligoland and all other islands, in Schleswig-Holstein, and in Denmark to the Commander in Chief 21st Army Group. This to include all naval ships in these areas. These forces to laydown their arms and surrender unconditionally. All hostilities on land, on sea or in the air by German Forces in the above areas to cease at 0800 hours British Double Summer Time on Saturday the 5th of May, 1945." Field Marshal Montgomery

Announcing the surrender of German forces from his Headquarters at Luneberg Heath, Germany

6:10 a.m. - May 4, 1945 May 6 Portugal breaks diplomatic relations with Germany. May 7 Germany signs unconditional surrender to the Allies at 2:41 am local time in Reims, France. "General, with this signature the German people and the German Wehrmacht are for better or for worse delivered into the victors hands." Colonel General Alfred Jodl to General Walter Bedell-Smith

May 8, 1945 Sweden breaks relations with Germany. May 8 German troops in Norway surrender. "Yesterday morning at 2:41 a.m. at General Eisenhower's headquarters General Jodl, the representative of the German high command and of Grand Admiral Donitz, the designated head of the German State, signed the act of unconditional surrender of all German land, sea and air forces in Europe to the Allied Expeditionary Force and simultaneously to the Soviet high command. We may allow ourselves a brief period of rejoicing but let us not forget for a moment the toils and efforts that lye ahead Japan with all her treachery and greed remains unsubdued. The injuries she has inflicted upon Great Britain, the United States and other countries and her detestable cruelties call for justice and retribution. We must now devote all our strength and resources to the completion of our task both at home and abroad. Advance Britannia! Long live the cause of freedom! God save the King! Prime Minister Winston S. Churchill "This is a solemn but glorious hour. I only wish that Franklin D. Roosevelt had lived to witness this day. The flags of freedom fly all over Europe. For this victory we join in offering our thanks to the Providence which has guided and sustained us through the dark days of adversity." President Harry S Truman May 15 Japan abrogates all treaties with Germany, Italy and other Axis countries. May 17 Denmark breaks diplomatic relations with Japan. June 6 Brazil declares war on Japan. July 6 Norway announces that it had declared war on Japan on December 7, 1941. July 14 Italy declares war on Japan effective July 15, 1945. August 8 The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics declares war on Japan effective Aug. 9, 1945. August 9 Mongolia declares war on Japan. August 14 Japan accepts Allied surrender terms. "Japan has today surrendered. The last of our enemies is laid low. Taking full advantage of surprise and treachery, the Japanese forces quickly overran the territories of ourselves and our allies in the Far East and at one time it appears as though they might even invade the mainland of Australia and advance far into India but the tide turned. First slowly then with an ever increasing speed and violence of the mighty forces of the United States and of the British Commonwealth and Empire and of their Allies and finally of Russia were brought to bare." Prime Minister Clement R. Atlee "Three months have passed since I asked you to join with me in an act of thanksgiving for the defeat of Germany. We then rejoiced that peace had returned to Europe but we knew that a strong and relentless enemy still remained to be conquered in Asia. No one could then tell how long or how heavy would prove the struggle that still awaited us but Japan has surrendered. So let us join in thanking Almighty God that war has ended throughout the world." King George VI August 16 Thailand declaration of war against United States and Great Britain ruled null and void. September 2 Japanese representatives sign the articles of surrender at 9:04 a.m. on the deck of the USS Missouri anchored in Tokyo Bay. "Today the guns are silent. A great tragedy has ended. A great victory has been won. The skies no longer rain death. The seas bare only commerce. Men everywhere walk upright in the sunlight. The entire world lies quietly at peace. The holy mission has been completed and in reporting this to you the people I speak for the thousands of silent lips forever stilled among the jungles and the beaches and in the deep waters of the Pacific which mark the way. I speak for the unnamed brave millions homeward bound to take up the challenge of that future which they did so much to salvage from the brink of disaster. As I look back on the long torturous trail from those grim days of Bataan and Corrigedor when an entire world lived in fear when democracy was on the defensive everywhere when modern civilization trembled in the balance I thank a merciful God that He has given us the faith, the courage and the power from which to mold victory. We have known the bitterness of defeat and the exultation of triumph and from both we have learned there can be no turning back. We must go forward to preserve in peace what we won in war." General Douglas MacArthur September 3 Japanese forces in the Philippines surrender to Major General Edmond H. Leavy at 1210. September 9 Japanese forces in Korea south of the 38th parallel surrender to the United States at 1630. September 12 Japanese forces in Southeast Asia surrender to the Supreme Allied Commander Louis Mountbatten in Singapore at 0341 GMT. October 24 United Nations Charter signed in San Francisco

WE THE PEOPLES OF THE UNITED NATIONS DETERMINED

to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind, and to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small, and to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained, and to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom, and for these ends to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbors, and to unite our strength to maintain international peace and security, and to ensure by the acceptance of principles and the institution of methods, that armed force shall not be used, save in the common interest, and to employ international machinery for the promotion of the economic and social advancement of all peoples. Have resolved to combine our efforts to accomplish these aims. Accordingly, our respective Governments, through representatives assembled in the city of San Francisco, who have exhibited their full powers found to be in good and due form, have agreed to the present Charter of the United Nations and do hereby establish an international organization to be known as the United Nations. Links The Avalon Project

The Avalon Project at Yale Law School hosts an extensive on-line collection of diplomatic documents including declarations of war, armistices and surrender instruments on its World War II documents page.

The Avalon Project at Yale Law School hosts an extensive on-line collection of diplomatic documents including declarations of war, armistices and surrender instruments on its World War II documents page. Complete Text of the United Nations Charter

1937-1945: U.S. Diplomacy of the Second World War © Richard Doody and WorldAtWar