August 15, 1945—World War II in the Pacific ends; Emperor Hirohito of Japan makes his first radio announcement to his nation, notifying his people of Japan’s surrender to the United States and its allies.
Ford leaves Edison; starts company
Henry Ford left his position as chief engineer at the Edison Illuminating Company in order to start his own automobile company.
The Panama Canal, started by French expedition in 1881 before it was purchased by the United States in 1904, officially opens to maritime traffic. It took ten years to construct as American teams had to avoid erosion and yellow fever.
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