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Events

Victory in Japan (VJ) Day

After a day of rumours, the announcement of Japan’s surrender finally came on 15th August 1945 at midnight, – too late for mass jubilation, but some people around the borough were certainly still up and indeed up for it! Bonfires were lit in various locations and celebrations went on until dawn.

The following two days were declared holidays, and pub licensing hours were extended until midnight on both days – although a smaller report in the Courier noted ruefully that “only about half the public houses in the district had beer for sale”! Similarly, a lack of supplies hindered any hopes of firework celebrations. Also, as staff were already overstretched on the buses, no late services could be run.

Nevertheless, people were ready to mark the occasion. The streets around the borough were a hive of activity in the morning, as people put up decorations in commemoration of the long-awaited peace. Halifax Town Hall, other municipal buildings, Bull Green and Southgate were decorated with bunting and the flags of 34 nations, and Ripponden Council Offices sported garlands of fairy-lights.

Rain rather dampened proceedings for events arranged during the day, such as billets and bowling tournaments at Hebden Bridge and fairground amusements at Manor Heath, as well as numerous open-air dances around the borough. However, come the evening Wainhouse Tower was floodlit from dusk till midnight, the Beacon Pan above Halifax was lit, searchlights criss-crossed the skies in the upper valley, and people flocked into their local towns to see what was going on. Sightseeing, socialising and dancing went on until midnight and even later in some parts; and newspapers reported a rather slow start to the next day!

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