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Moment of silence taking place in Hiroshima on 6 August. Photo: BBC. |
Prayer services and commemorations were held in Japan and across the world this week to mark the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The human cost of the Second World War was overwhelming and introduced the ever-present threat of nuclear war, a fear that looms large amidst today’s global conflicts. |
Next Friday on 15 August, we will come together as a nation to commemorate the Second World War generation, paying tribute to the British and Commonwealth veterans who served in Asia and the Pacific as well as those who made the ultimate sacrifice for peace.
It is one of the last prominent opportunities to hear directly from those who lived through the conflict and an important anniversary to teach younger generations about the catastrophic consequences of total war.
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A group of Royal Air Force prisoners cheer following their release from Changi Prison, Singapore. Photo: Imperial War Museums |
Armed Forces mark VJ Day 80 |
Four hundred members of the Armed Forces will pay tribute to the Second World War veterans at the Royal British Legion’s commemorative event, taking place at the National Memorial Arboretum (NMA) on Friday 15 August.
The national event will include a guard of honour of the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force as well as flypasts by the Red Arrows and The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. At dawn, military bagpipers will perform the lament Battle’s O’er at the Cenotaph in London, NMA in Staffordshire and at Edinburgh Castle. |
SPOTLIGHT EVENT: Letters to Loved Ones x Outernet activation |
The real handwriting, personal reflections and hopeful sentiments shared with loved ones more than 80 years ago will be showcased and narrated by ancestors of those featured in the film. Their heartfelt words remain relevant today, reminding us of our shared humanity.
The Letters to Loved Ones installation is free and open to the public at Outernet’s Now Trending interactive media space, at London’s Tottenham Court Road from Tuesday 12 August to Saturday 16 August.
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Es Devlin’s I Saw the World End |
I Saw the World End screening at Piccadilly Lights. 6 August, 2025. |
IWM hosted two screenings of Es Devlin’s poignant film, I Saw the World End, to mark the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombs dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima (6 August). You can watch the film online.
Following the screening at IWM London, Es Devlin and Machiko Weston hosted a Q&A to talk about the impact of the film, ahead of it being shown that evening on Piccadilly Lights. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission Every Story, For Evermore Tour |
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) is continuing its Every Story, For Evermore campaign through education and community events, new content, and augmented reality tours focused on international sites.
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Liberated POWs at Pegu (Burma) pick up new kit following their release. 3 May 1945. Photo: Imperial War Museums |
Introducing a new UK-wide, locally-led arts and culture programme reflecting on what ‘Our Freedom’ means today, 80 years on from the end of the Second World War.
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VJ Day 80 commemorative pins |
What led to the use of atomic bombs in the Second World War? |
Hiroshima following the dropping of the atomic bomb on 6 August, 1945. Photo: Imperial War Museums. |
Nagasaki following the dropping of the atomic bomb on 9 August, 1945. Photo: Imperial War Museums. |
VJ Day 80 commemorative programme, events & activities |
The RAF prepares for battle in Rangoon. March 1945. Photo: Imperial War Museums. |
Monday 11 August Attend the Imperial War Museums (IWM North & IWM London) or London’s Japan House in-person origami paper crane making workshops - known worldwide as a symbol of peace - happening over the coming weeks.
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Tuesday 12 August
Visit our Letters to Loved Ones bespoke immersive activation at Outernet’s Now Trending space, displayed at its Tottenham Court Road location. View letters from those who lived through the war in Asia and the Pacific, narrated by surviving family members. Open to the public from 12-16 August. Free.
Wednesday 13 August
Experience the Marching Orders: VJ Day family gallery tour at the National Army Museum. London. 13-15 August. Free.
Thursday 14 August
Visit the Tower of London's special commemorative display of nearly 30,000 ceramic poppies. Open until 22 November.
Friday 15 August (VJ Day) Military bagpipers will perform the lament Battle’s O’er at the Cenotaph, at Staffordshire's National Memorial Arboretum and at Edinburgh Castle.
Northern Ireland’s Lisburn & Castlereagh City Councils (LCCC) will host a VJ Day 80 commemorative parade, outdoor service and wreath-laying ceremony, in partnership with the National Malaya and Borneo Veterans Association (NMBVA) and Royal British Legion (RBL), paying tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of those who served during the Second World War as well as honour the legacy of Major Frank Pantridge.
Glasgow City Council will deliver a Service of Thanksgiving to mark the anniversary at Glasgow Cathedral.
Government buildings, iconic landmarks around the UK - including Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, Tower of London, Gateshead Millennium Bridge, Durham Cathedral and the White Cliffs of Dovers - as well as High Commissions across the globe will light up in commemoration of VJ Day 80, commencing at 9pm.
Saturday 16 August
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Share your Second World War stories, family histories and messages of remembrance on social media. Use #VE80, #VJ80 and #Victory80 |
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