On this day in 1945 legendary communist and anti-imperialist Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam's independence from France following the formal end of the Second World War and a successful rebellion against Vichy French and Japanese forces. On 2 September 1945, Japanese representatives signed the instrument of surrender aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, ending the most destructive conflict in human history. At the same time, Ho Chi Minh signed a proclamation of independence based on the principles of liberty and equality as the national anthem was sung by a crowd of 400,000 in Hanoi.
Ho Chi Minh returned to Vietnam in 1941 to lead the Việt Minh independence movement. He oversaw military operations against the Vichy French and Japanese colonial occupation of Vietnam. In the 1945 August Revolution, Ho Chi Minh and the Viet Minh called on the Vietnamese to rebel against the French and Japanese. By August 19 they had captured Hanoi and declared a provisional administration on 24 August. Ho Chi Minh became Chairman of the Provisional Government and convinced Emperor Bảo Đại to abdicate leading to the establishment of a republic.
However, despite the joyous scenes in Hanoi on 2 September 1945, there was trouble ahead. US President Harry Truman refused to recognize Ho Chi Minh's declaration of independence the French refused to leave and Vietnam was divided by the victorious allies. It would take decades and millions of deaths following wars against the French, Americans, and Chinese for the Vietnamese to win their true independence. Vietnam's Independence Day has since been celebrated with annual parades honoring the resistance forces in Hanoi.
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