End of WWII had Utahns dancing in streets

"War ends"

That was the simple and direct 5-inch-tall headline that covered almost a third of the page in the Deseret News on Aug. 14, 1945 — 65 years ago this Saturday.

The V-J Day (victory over Japan) story read: "President Truman announced today that fighting in the Second World War has ended."

The Deseret News archives contain a wealth of photographs from World War II to its end. There's the terrifying picture showing the USS Arizona surrounded by black smoke as it topples during the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.

Still another photo shows Army Gen. Douglas MacArthur and soldiers walking through the surf to the shore of the Philippines on Oct. 20, 1944, to begin the Leyte invasion — 2 1/2 years after he fled that area to Australia to fight another day.

Another picture highlights the USS Pennsylvania battleship leading the preliminary charge in the Philippines in 1944.

There are also photos of Marines storming Iwo Jima in February 1945 and of the ground crew of the Enola Gay, which dropped the Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945.

The historic announcement of the war's end created a series of joyous gatherings, the likes of which has not been seen since. One photograph from Paris shows hundreds of U.S. soldiers and the Women's Army Corps gathering to celebrate the war's end on Aug. 14, 1945.

Salt Lake City had its own celebrations.

Utah Gov. Herbert B. Maw issued a quick proclamation that urged all places of employment, except restaurants, to close in Utah on Aug. 15, 1945.

"All retail stores will be closed the remainder of today and all day tomorrow," a Deseret News story proclaimed. Banks and government offices closed. Restaurants and movie theaters remained open, however.

Main Street from South Temple to 300 South was closed to traffic for two days to accommodate celebrations, including a street dance, orchestra and a military band.

Many Salt Lake area churches held special services. Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, the First Methodist Church, St. Peter's Episcopal Church and the St. Mark's Hospital Chapel were a sampling of churches holding special V-J Day services.

A special religious service for the entire community was held the day after V-J Day in the Salt Lake Tabernacle, with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir performing.

Stores in Sugar House closed, and a dance was held in the plaza there.