VJ Day – Two-minute Silence, Friday 15 August

Cathedrals will be joining in the national two-minute silence at noon on Friday 15 August to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Japan, commemorating the end of the Second World War.

VJ Day – Two-minute Silence, Friday 15 August

While VE Day (Victory in Europe) marked the end of the war in Europe in May 1945, many thousands of Armed Forces personnel were still engaged in fighting in the Far East.

Victory over Japan came at a heavy price and only came to an end after two atomic bombs were dropped on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Victory over Japan Day (VJ Day) marks the day Japan surrendered on 15 August 1945, which ended the Second World War.

Many of our cathedrals will be holding special services, ringing bells and, where possible, some will join other iconic buildings to light up in white. Do check the website of your local cathedral to find our more.

Carlisle Cathedral held a special service of thanksgiving on 29 June in honour of VE/VJ Day, at the end Armed Forces week.

The bells will be rung on 15 August at 6.30pm after Evening Prayer, in honour of VJ Day.

From dusk the outside of Durham Cathedral will be lit up in a bright white to mark the anniversary of VJ Day on Friday 15 August.

During the day, we will be remembering lives lost with a two minute silence at 12noon.

At Evensong on the anniversary, the bells will ring a quarter peal before the service starts at 5.30pm.

Guildford Cathedral will host a special County Service on Sunday 17 August at 6.00pm to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory over Japan (VJ) Day and the official end of the Second World War.

Led by the Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey and the Dean of Guildford, the service – entitled ‘The War is Over’ – will honour the courage, endurance and sacrifice of those from Surrey who served in the Far East during the conflict.

The tribute will include remembrance of a local battalion of the East Surrey Regiment, held in captivity for over three years, and No. 615 (County of Surrey) Squadron, Royal Auxiliary Air Force, who served with distinction in Burma.

The Cathedral warmly invites veterans, current and former Service personnel, cadets, civic leaders, and members of the wider community to join in this moment of collective remembrance and gratitude to ensure that the legacy of VJ Day and those who served in the Far East is not forgotten.