In what year did World War II conclude?

World War II concluded in 1945, marking the end of one of the most significant conflicts in modern history. The war in Europe came to an end on May 8, 1945, with the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany, which is celebrated as Victory in Europe (VE) Day. Following this, the war in the Pacific officially ended on September 2, 1945, when Japan formally surrendered after the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August.

The other years presented do not correspond to the conclusion of the war. 1943 and 1944 were years during which major battles and campaigns were still taking place, including significant events like the D-Day invasion and the Battle of the Bulge. 1946 marked the post-war period, during which nations began rebuilding and addressing the ramifications of the war, but it was not the year the war itself ended.