| Original caption: “The War In Europe Is Ended! Surrender Is Unconditional; V-E Will Be Proclaimed Today; Our Troops On Okinawa Gain.” The May 8, 1945, issue of the New York Times captured the mood of the city as it celebrated Victory in Europe Day. After days of false reports and the death of Führer und Reichskanzler (“Leader and Reichchancellor”) Adolf Hitler (April 20, 1889 – April 30, 1945) New Yorkers were ready for the end of the war in Europe. Raucous celebrations characterized early May, reaching a crescendo when the official news broke early in the morning of May 8. The Times strived to provide comprehensive reporting, not just of the local celebrations, but of world events. Associated Press Correspondent Edward L. Kennedy (June 26, 1905 – November 29, 1963) broke the news of the surrender prematurely, violating a 36-hour embargo. To restore confidence with Supreme Headquarters, Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF), the Associated Press fired Kennedy. On May 10, the New York Times ran a series of articles criticizing Kennedy; Brigadier General Frank A. Allen (June 19, 1896 – November 20, 1979), Director of SHAEF’s Public Relations Division, wrote an article that claimed there was no public announcement, when SHAEF authorized the Nazi Germans in Flensberg to announce the surrender. This broadcast, from Hamburg, convinced Kennedy that the embargo was lifted. The New York Times editorial page savaged Kennedy, claiming the incident “has done grave disservice to the newspaper profession.” Because Kennedy had waited for the Nazi German announcement, and the embargo was politically, not militarily, motivated, the Associated Press apologized for firing him. “It was handled in the worst possible way,” said Associated Press President Thomas Curley (born July 6, 1948). James Barrett “Scotty” Reston (November 3, 1909 – December 6, 1995) was renowned for his ability to gain confidential information from politicians. As a reporter at the United Nations Conference in San Francisco (April 25 – June 26, 1945) he interviewed Vyacheslav Molotov (February 25, 1890 – November 8, 1986) on the proceedings. Reston had a long career at the Times, retiring in 1989. The United States continued to fight another war against Japan. New York Times correspondent Warren Moscow (March 15, 1908 – September 20, 1992) was on Guam, reporting on the ongoing fighting. Desperate kamikaze attacks continued to strike United States Navy ships off Okinawa, despite attempts by strategic air forces and naval strikes to eliminate their air bases. Heavy fighting on Okinawa continued through June 1945. He would leave the Times and work for Mayor Robert F. Wagner (April 20, 1910 – February 12, 1991) as Commissioner of Borough Works of Manhattan. City reporter Frank S. Adams (November 29, 1902 – December 5, 1970) covered the city-wide Victory in Europe Day celebrations. Contrasting the jubilant mood with the somber tone of United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s death just a few weeks before, Adams recalled the long wait for the Armistice of World War I in November 1918. He would go on to become City Editor for the Times after the war. | |
| Image Filename | wwii0893.jpg |
| Image Size | 846.84 KB |
| Image Dimensions | 1654 x 2246 |
| Photographer | Arthur Hays Sulzberger |
| Photographer Title | New York Times |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | May 8, 1945 |
| Location | |
| City | New York |
| State or Province | New York |
| Country | United States |
| Archive | |
| Record Number | |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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