81st Anniversary Commemoration of the End of World War II

September 2, 2026

From Pearl Harbor to Peace -
The Journey That Changed the World
 

On September 2, 2026, the Battleship Missouri Memorial invites the public to commemorate the 81st anniversary of the end of World War II aboard the Battleship Missouri Memorial, the site where the Instrument of Surrender was signed in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945.

On December 7, 1941, the world changed forever in the waters of Pearl Harbor. Less than four years later, representatives of the Allied and Japanese governments gathered aboard USS Missouri to formally end the deadliest conflict in human history.

As we commemorate the 81st anniversary of the end of World War II, this year's ceremony reflects on the extraordinary journey from Pearl Harbor to peace, a journey marked by sacrifice, courage, resilience, and ultimately, reconciliation. Hawaiʻi stands uniquely at the center of this story as the place where America's World War II experience both began and found its conclusion.

Standing between the 81st anniversary of the war's end and the approaching 85th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, we honor those who served, remember those who sacrificed, and reaffirm our shared responsibility to preserve their stories for future generations.

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Event Details

Date: Wednesday, September 2, 2026

Time: 9:02 a.m. HST

Location: Fantail, Battleship Missouri Memorial

Admission: Free and open to the public

Arrival: Guests are asked to be seated by 8:45 a.m.

Attire: Summer Whites, service equivalent, or aloha attire

Transportation & Parking

The Battleship Missouri Memorial is located on an active U.S. Navy base and is accessible via the Memorial's complimentary shuttle service departing from the Pearl Harbor National Memorial Visitor Center.

The first shuttle from the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center to the Missouri departs at 7:30 a.m. Guests are encouraged to arrive early to allow ample time for parking, security screening, and shuttle transportation to Ford Island.

Guests with base access may drive directly to the Battleship Missouri Memorial and park in the designated parking areas.

For questions regarding the ceremony, please email events@ussmissouri.org.

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