Which event does this 1945 photograph show?

Japan signs the surrender that formally ends the Second World War (1945). Japanese representatives signed the Instrument of Surrender on the deck of the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, formally ending the deadliest conflict in human history. The ceremony lasted about 23 minutes.

Which event does this 1666 photograph show?

The Great Fire of London starts in a bakery on Pudding Lane (1666). The Great Fire of London began in a bakery on Pudding Lane and burned for four days, destroying about 13,000 houses and the old St Paul's Cathedral. Remarkably few deaths were recorded.

Which event does this 1864 photograph show?

Sherman captures Atlanta, helping secure Lincoln a second term (1864). General Sherman's capture of Atlanta was the Union victory the North had been waiting for. It transformed Northern morale and is widely credited with securing Lincoln's re-election that November.

Which event does this -31 photograph show?

Octavian defeats Antony and Cleopatra at Actium (-31). At Actium, Octavian's fleet defeated Mark Antony and Cleopatra off western Greece. Within a year both were dead and Octavian was unchallenged, soon to become Augustus, the first Roman emperor.

Which event does this 1789 photograph show?

The US Treasury is created, and Alexander Hamilton takes charge of it (1789). Congress established the Department of the Treasury, with Hamilton appointed its first Secretary days later. He used the post to assume the states' war debts and build the credit of a nation that had almost none.

What happened on September 2? Japan surrenders, the Great Fire of London and 3 more

What happened on September 2

All 5 specimens from this file, spanning -31 to 1945, with the story behind each photograph.

Reveal the full answer key

Conflict · 1945

Japan signs the surrender that formally ends the Second World War

Japanese representatives signed the Instrument of Surrender on the deck of the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, formally ending the deadliest conflict in human history. The ceremony lasted about 23 minutes.
Disaster · 1666

The Great Fire of London starts in a bakery on Pudding Lane

The Great Fire of London began in a bakery on Pudding Lane and burned for four days, destroying about 13,000 houses and the old St Paul's Cathedral. Remarkably few deaths were recorded.
History · 1864

Sherman captures Atlanta, helping secure Lincoln a second term

General Sherman's capture of Atlanta was the Union victory the North had been waiting for. It transformed Northern morale and is widely credited with securing Lincoln's re-election that November.
Ancient · -31

Octavian defeats Antony and Cleopatra at Actium

At Actium, Octavian's fleet defeated Mark Antony and Cleopatra off western Greece. Within a year both were dead and Octavian was unchallenged, soon to become Augustus, the first Roman emperor.
Politics · 1789

The US Treasury is created, and Alexander Hamilton takes charge of it

Congress established the Department of the Treasury, with Hamilton appointed its first Secretary days later. He used the post to assume the states' war debts and build the credit of a nation that had almost none.