This is a solemn but glorious hour. General Eisenhower informs me that the forces of Germany have surrendered to the United Nations. The flags of freedom fly all over Europe.

We must work to bind up the wounds of a suffering world--to build an abiding peace, a peace rooted in justice and in law.

In recognition of the unconditional surrender--unconditional and abject surrender of the Nazi barbarians, please accept the fervent congratulations and appreciation of myself, and of the American people, for the heroic achievements of your…

For this victory, we join in offering our thanks to the Providence which has guided and sustained us through the dark days of adversity.

The Japanese people have felt the weight of our land, air, and naval attacks.

A Proclamation--The Allied armies, through sacrifice and devotion and with God's help, have wrung from Germany a final and unconditional surrender.

We can repay the debt which we owe to our God, to our dead, and to our children, only by work, by ceaseless devotion to the responsibilities which lie ahead of us.

Much remains to be done. The victory won in the West must now be won in the East.

I call upon the people of the United States, whatever their faith, to unite in offering joyful thanks to God for the victory we have won and to pray that He will support us to the end of our present struggle and guide us into the way of…

The whole world must be cleansed of the evil from which half the world has been freed.

I, Harry S. Truman, President of the United States of America, do hereby declare the week beginning June 2, 1945, as National Rehabilitation Week.

And I urge all churches, educational institutions, health and welfare services, civic organizations, chambers of commerce, boards of trade, industry, labor, public-spirited citizens, and the radio and press throughout the United States to…

All Federal agencies, including but not limited to, the War Manpower Commission, the National Selective Service System, and the Department of Justice, are directed to cooperate with the Secretary of the Interior to the fullest extent…

The Secretary of the Interior is authorized and directed to take possession of any and all such mines

In time of war it is the paramount obligation of every citizen to serve his country to the best of his ability.

It is the essence of that act, the Selective Service and Training Act of 1940, that no one shall be placed in a favored position.

Therefore, I am returning the joint resolution without my approval.

In my opinion no group should have any special privileges.