The anniversary of the end of World War II is observed in Russia on September 3 as an official memorial day, although it is not a public holiday. This date was established to commemorate Japan's capitulation, which followed the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the Soviet invasion of Manchukuo in August 1945. The formal surrender of Japan occurred on September 2, but in 2020, Russia moved the observance to September 3 to emphasize the transition from war to peace. While many European countries celebrate the victory on May 8/9, this day holds particular significance in Russia and other former Soviet republics, where Victory Day is a major public holiday. The memorial day serves as a remembrance of the events leading to the end of the war and is marked by various commemorative activities across the country.