Mad celebration as WWII ends

Aug. 14, 1945: When news broke that Japan surrendered and World War II was over, L.A. celebrated with abandon, The Times reported under the headline, “Word of Peace Brings Bedlam in Los Angeles.”

“It finally came and Los Angeles went wild. Blasted from offices and stores by a growing roar of screaming whistles and sirens, people poured into downtown streets -- all streets -- to acclaim victory over Japan, war’s end. Bedlam!” the newspaper said.

“While the huge siren atop The Times led the downtown din, streets immediately were snowed under with confetti -- scraps of paper of every sort that swirled down over the jammed sidewalks which, moments before, had been sanely trod by quiet shoppers.”

Everywhere, people celebrated. “Youngsters in Hollywood tore down gongs that were to be used to warn of gas attacks and beat them incessantly,” the newspaper said.

“His face mottled with lipstick, Edgar Buckingham, motor machinist’s mate second class, who wears the Purple Heart and still uses a cane, was kissing women in stalled autos on Hollywood Boulevard. He hit the jackpot when he encountered a stalled bus.”