World War II ended in 1945. The conflict, which was one of the deadliest and most widespread in history, saw the involvement of nations from around the world. It began in 1939 and stretched across Europe, Asia, and the Pacific. The war concluded in Europe with the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany on May 8, 1945, known as Victory in Europe (VE) Day. The conflict continued in the Pacific until Japan's surrender following the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, officially occurring on September 2, 1945. This marked a significant turning point in global politics and shaped the course of the 20th century.