Just a little more than 67 years ago on August 14, 1945, the city of Honolulu, Hawaii Territory, pulled out all the stops and celebrated the end of the war with Japan. World War II began for America in Honolulu at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, and it ended there for Honolulu residents, who celebrated wildly in the streets.
COLOR footage of some of the celebration has been recovered and restored; you can see it here. Imagine the unadulterated joy at the end of a terrible war with a ruthless enemy that had raged for almost 4 years. The "greatest generation" had a lot to celebrate! This film was made with a 16mm camera on the then-new Kodachrome film. Go full screen, and also listen to Jimmy Durante singing the nostalgic
I'll be seeing you. It's as close as you'll ever get to actually being there.
Hope you enjoy seeing the event. Remember that most of the people you will view were young then, but are now dead and gone. Remember them and in your heart, thank them for their many sacrifices on behalf of our country. They made what we have today possible.
John
VJ Day - Aug. 14, 1945 in Honolulu
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