Diary for Thursday, August 16, 1945:
Home Fronts
Japan: Emperor issues Imperial Rescript (decree) at 4pm Tokyo time ordering all Japanese forces to cease-fire. Cabinet resigns; Prince Higashikuni forms ‘caretaker’ administration.
Russo-Japanese War
Manchuria: Vassilevsky calls on Japanese Kwantung Army in Manchuria to surrender by August 20.