Chris Whiteside for the North

Today is the 80th anniversary of the surrender of Japan. There will be VJ Day 80 commemorations to mark the anniversary of the final end of the second world war. A series of events will be held in Britain and around the world, although the USA commemorates VJ day a few days later than we do. In Britain: There will  be an event at the National Memorial Arboretum to honour VJ veterans which will be broadcast live The Red Arrows will join historic Spitfire and Hurricane aircraft for a flypast over national VJ Day 80 commemorations Members of the public are encouraged to participate in a national two-minute silence at noon BST on Friday 15 August  to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.  A Service of Remembrance will honour and remember those who fought and died during the Second World War in the Far East at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, which will be broadcast live on BBC1 from midday.  It will host a spectacular tribute to v...

  "80 years ago, the guns fell silent in the Pacific marking the end of WW2. Today, we remember those who fought to the very end and the families who endured years of fear and loss. Their courage and sacrifice shaped the free, democratic Britain we cherish. We honour them, always." Kemi Badenoch , Conservative leader.

  "In times of war and in times of peace, the greatest weapons of all are not the arms you bear but the arms you link." His Majesty King Charles III From the message the King will broadcast later today praising the work of the heroes of WWII.   His majesty tell the nation and the world how the sacrifice of the heroes of VJ Day will never be forgotten. In an audio message echoing one broadcast by his grandfather, King George VI, eighty years ago, King Charles will describe how those who lived and died in the Far East  ‘gave us more than freedom; they left us the example of how it can and must be protected’.

 Following the VE day commemorations in May this year to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe, VJ Day 80 on Friday will mark the anniversary of the final end of the war. A series of events will be held in Britain and around the world, although the USA commemorates VJ day a few days later than we do. In Britain: There will  be an event at the National Memorial Arboretum to honour VJ veterans which will be broadcast live The Red Arrows will join historic Spitfire and Hurricane aircraft for a flypast over national VJ Day 80 commemorations Members of the public are encouraged to participate in a national two-minute silence at noon BST on Friday 15 August to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.  A Service of Remembrance will honour and remember those who fought and died during the Second World War in the Far East at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, which will be broadcast live on BBC1 from midday.  It wil...