WEBVTT 1 00:00:03.960 --> 00:00:09.119 Welcome to World War Two chronicles a weekly tribute to America's fighting men and women 2 00:00:09.439 --> 00:00:14.599 in commemoration of the Second World War. These programs are narrated by Ed Hrlihy 3 00:00:14.919 --> 00:00:18.960 and are based on the news broadcasts of the war period from the recorded sound 4 00:00:18.960 --> 00:00:27.039 collection of the National Archives in Washington, d C. I have received this 5 00:00:27.160 --> 00:00:33.039 afternoon a message from the Japanese government in reply to the message forward to that 6 00:00:33.200 --> 00:00:38.719 government by the Secretary of State on August eleventh. I d this reply a 7 00:00:38.840 --> 00:00:45.759 full acceptance of the Pup's Damn Declaration, which specifies the unconditional surrender of Japan. 8 00:00:47.000 --> 00:00:52.079 In the reply, there is no qualification. The instant President Truman's statement 9 00:00:52.200 --> 00:00:56.759 is flashed on the news. Giant celebrations are sparked all over the land. 10 00:00:57.359 --> 00:01:14.319 World War Two is over. There are street parties in Washington, Chicago, 11 00:01:14.439 --> 00:01:19.519 San Francisco, Seattle, but as as often the case, New York City 12 00:01:19.640 --> 00:01:25.560 tops them all with a non stop three day bash in Times Square. As 13 00:01:25.599 --> 00:01:29.719 President Truman makes it official. In this country, the Land of the Rising 14 00:01:29.760 --> 00:01:34.719 Sun's leaders have already broken the news they had been fatally crushed in the war, 15 00:01:34.239 --> 00:01:40.760 forced into abject surrender. At twelve noon, August fifteenth, listeners to 16 00:01:40.879 --> 00:01:47.359 Japanese national radio are told to stand, the national anthem played, and an 17 00:01:47.439 --> 00:01:53.200 unfamiliar, high pitched voice makes the announcement. It is the Emperor himself, 18 00:01:53.959 --> 00:02:00.319 the first time common people have ever heard him speak. The word on home 19 00:02:00.319 --> 00:02:07.480 front now was reconstruction. We want to create in America jobs for all of 20 00:02:07.519 --> 00:02:13.360 those who are ready and willing to work, and economy that will provide a 21 00:02:13.400 --> 00:02:19.879 steadily rising standard of living. We want a stable economy which will avoid the 22 00:02:19.960 --> 00:02:25.719 disasters of inflation and deflation. We know the moves that must be made, 23 00:02:27.759 --> 00:02:34.159 and all of you must play your part. Every man in government is still 24 00:02:34.199 --> 00:02:39.199 at battle station as far as reconversion is concerned. There will be no let 25 00:02:39.280 --> 00:02:46.199 up until our men and women are back at work in steady peacetime jobs. 26 00:02:46.360 --> 00:02:52.800 Civilion goods like ironers are already trickling from factories, and shortly, washing machines 27 00:02:52.800 --> 00:02:57.439 and other luxuries we've missed will be pouring from the factories at nineteen forty two 28 00:02:57.479 --> 00:03:00.479 presents, and soon you'll be able to give at Jelapia well earned rest. 29 00:03:00.960 --> 00:03:05.719 With gasigan plentiful, and with new cars and new tires on the way, 30 00:03:05.919 --> 00:03:10.599 America will be rolling with a pre war flourish Yes Cars, Radio's vacuum Cleaners, 31 00:03:10.919 --> 00:03:17.159 Nylon's juicy Stakes. It sounds almost like a dream. I'm in Hurli. 32 00:03:17.199 --> 00:03:23.439 He join me next time. The World War Two Chronicles. World War 33 00:03:23.479 --> 00:03:30.280 Two Chronicles was produced by the American Veterans Center and Radio America in cooperation with 34 00:03:30.400 --> 00:03:36.319 the National Archives. To listen to more episodes, subscribe on iTunes, or 35 00:03:36.520 --> 00:03:42.439 visit American Veterans Center dot org. We need your help to keep the legacy 36 00:03:42.560 --> 00:03:47.560 of our World War Two generation alive. Visit American Veterans Center dot org to 37 00:03:47.680 --> 00:03:53.680 make a donation to support World War Two Chronicles and the ongoing work of the 38 00:03:53.759 --> 00:03:54.199 American Veterans Center.