World War II lasted for six years, beginning on September 1, 1939, with Germany's invasion of Poland, and ending on September 2, 1945, with Japan's formal surrender
. The war in Europe concluded earlier, with Germany's unconditional surrender on May 7, 1945, which took effect on May 8, celebrated as Victory in Europe (V-E) Day
. The conflict in the Pacific continued until Japan surrendered on September 2, 1945, marking the official end of World War II globally
