This post features bonus material for a piece I recently wrote for TVO.
Headline, Toronto Star, August 14, 1945.
“If the expected announcement of the Japanese surrender comes between now and 7 a.m. tomorrow, Wednesday will be VJ Day for Toronto,” controller David Balfour, filling in for mayor Robert Hood Saunders, told the press on August 14, 1945. “Like everyone else, we’re waiting for the official word. Nothing will be done until we have official word.”
Globe and Mail, August 15, 1945.
Balfour only had to wait a few hours to act. At 7 p.m., official announcements of the Japanese surrender were made by American president Harry Truman and British prime minister Clement Atlee, followed shortly thereafter by Mackenzie King.
Globe and Mail, August 15, 1945.
At the Christie Street Hospital for military veterans, a bingo game was about to begin when the news broke. As downtown streets filled with revelers, the TTC quickly put into place streetcar diversions it had planned for the celebrations. Ticker tape showered the streets. Flags were erected.
Editorial, Globe and Mail, August 15, 1945.
Georgetown Herald, August 15, 1945.
As I mentioned in the piece, celebrations in smaller communities followed similar patterns. In Georgetown, people filled Main Street as the word got out. That evening a street dance broke out, with music provided by a group called the Rhythm Rubes. VJ Day started with a parade consisting of veterans, several pipe bands, the Royal Canadian Legion, and the St. John’s Ambulance Brigade. After a prayer, “The Last Post” was played. Baseball followed in the afternoon, with fireworks and dancing to Harvey Fisher’s Orchestra in the evening. Apparently a giant bingo game was considered, but, according to the Georgetown Herald, “arrangements could not be made in time for this and it had to be cancelled.”
Ottawa Citizen, August 15, 1945.
Advertisers joined in the celebrations, with many quoting biblical passages or famous authors. Zellers went for a touch of Tennyson…
Toronto Star, August 16, 1945.
…while Simpsons chose American jurist Oliver Wendell Holmes for inspiration.
Toronto Star, August 16, 1945.
The recently-established United Nations inspired a hopeful future to retailers like Burroughes Furniture.
Ottawa Citizen, August 15, 1945.
Eaton’s Canadian Department Stores division depicted the sun breaking through clouds.
Editorial cartoon, Toronto Star, August 16, 1945.
Effigies of Japanese Emperor Hirohito were set ablaze everywhere, including the examples in the next few images…
Toronto Star, August 16, 1945.
Toronto Star, August 16, 1945.
We’ll stay in Oakville for two more photos…
Toronto Star, August 16, 1945.
Toronto Star, August 16, 1945.
Wartime Canada has a period pamphlet outlining what a “farm commando” could do to help the war effort. The provincial farm service drew more women than men.
Toronto Star, August 16, 1945.
Two pictures from Sudbury. The top one feels like it was taken before the situation soured, while the bottom was after the liquor store was looted.
Windsor Star, August 16, 1945.
What other ways were old gasoline rationing coupons used?
Jamie Bradburn's Tales of Toronto 