The treaty that marked the official end of World War II in Europe was the Treaty of Peace with Japan, more commonly known as the Japanese Instrument of Surrender, signed on September 2, 1945. However, a key earlier agreement, the unconditional surrender of Germany, was finalized on May 7, 1945, which was acknowledged on May 8 as Victory in Europe (V-E) Day. This surrender effectively concluded active military operations in Europe, paving the way for post-war reconstruction and realignment. Following the war, various treaties addressed reparations and political boundaries, leading to a redefined European landscape and the beginning of the Cold War.