I am an American, 62 years old. I grew up in a small midwestern town. I was young at the time of VJ Day but I remember for the first time in my young life a news boy came down our street shouting the news of victory (just like the movies). Everyone that was home came out to get a paper. The adults stood in the street reading, when they finished much huging and crying went on, no dancing or jubulation. Yes they were happy now we wouldn't have as many Gold Star mothers. (For those who don't know what a Gold Star mother was, she was a mother who had lost a son in THE WAR) She had a small banner in her window with a star for each son at war, Blue if son is alive Gold if gone.