August 15th, 1945:

What's known as VJ-Day. The United States and its Allies mark the effective end of World War Two after six years of fighting.

They celebrate the defeat of the Axis powers, a day after Japan agrees to an unconditional surrender.

1969:

In upstate New York, the counterculture comes together for Woodstock, the largest rock concert of the Sixties.

Among the acts at the festival, which ended more than three days later, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, The Who, The Grateful Dead, and Crosby Stills Nash and Young.

1769:

Napoleon Bonaparte, the French general and ruler whose wars reshaped the map of Europe, is born on the island of Corsica.

1947:

In Asia, India gains its independence, a day after neighboring Pakistan is established, concluding British colonial rule over the entire Indian subcontinent.

1998:

In Northern Ireland, the deadliest terror attack in decades of sectarian violence takes place in the town of Omagh.

That's where a car bomb planted by an IRA splinter group kills 29 people and wounds hundreds of others.

1914:

In Central America, the Panama Canal opens to shipping traffic, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

And, 1939:

"The Wizard of Oz," the movie musical fantasy starring Judy Garland that remains a pop culture classic, premieres in Hollywood.

Today in History, August 15th --- ___ ___, The Associated Press.