Jody Victor: Victory over Japan Day, which is also known as Victory in the Pacific Day, V-J Day, or V-P Day the name chosen for the day of the Surrender of Japan. This was the end of WWII and the anniversaries of the celebrations are on this day. The announcement was made on August 14, 1945 in the United States, Western Europe, the Americas, the Pacific Islands, and Australia. But the formal surrender ceremony was not performed until September 2, 1945. 

A little after noon, Japan standard time on August 15, 1945, Emperor Hirohito's announcement of Japan's acceptance of the terms of the Potsdam Declaration was broadcast to the Japanese people over the radio. Earlier the same day, the Japanese government had already broadcast an announcement over Radio Tokyo that "acceptance of the Potsdam Proclamation (would be) coming soon," and had advised the Allies of the surrender by sending a cable to U.S. President Harry S. Truman via the Swiss diplomatic mission in Washington, D.C. A nation-wide broadcast by President Truman was aired at seven o'clock (daylight time in Washington, D.C.) on August 14 announcing the communication and that the formal event was scheduled for September 2nd. In his announcement of Japan's surrender on August 14, President Truman said that "the proclamation of V-J Day must wait upon the formal signing of the surrender terms by Japan." The formal Japanese signing of the surrender terms took place on board the battleship USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945, and at that time Truman declared September 2 to be the official V-J Day.

Since the European Axis Powers had surrendered three months earlier (V-E Day), V-J Day would be the official end of World War II.

Jody Victor

Jody Victor : This week marks the 90th anniversary of women's suffrage or the right of women to vote and run for office in the United Sates. This term is also used for the economic and political reform movement that was aimed at extending these rights to women. This includes no restrictions or qualifications such as property ownership, payment of tax, or marital status.

As a movement, the modern origins are attributed to 18th century France. In 1906, Finland was the first nation in the world to give full suffrage (the right to vote and to run for office) to all citizens, including women. New Zealand was the first country in the world to grant all citizens the right to vote, in 1893, but women did not get the right to run for the New Zealand legislature until 1919.

In the United States, woman suffrage was achieved gradually, at state and local levels, during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was World War I that gave women the final push they needed. After President Woodrow Wilson announced that World War I was a war for democracy, women were up in arms. Finally in 1920, Congress passed the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which provided: "The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex."

Jody Victor

Jody Victor : Did you go to work last Friday? Were you worried at all that something bad might happen to you? Well if you were, join the 17 to 21 million Americans that also have a fear of Friday the 13th.

Friday the 13th is a popular day associated with bad luck and horror films. Most of us just laugh it off, but the ones that truly fear that day have what is called friggatriskaidekaphobia, or paraskevidekatriaphobia. Some even go beyond Friday the 13th. President Herbert Hoover, Napoleon Bonaparte and President Franklin D. Roosevelt would not travel on the 13th day of any month, for all feared the number 13.

Have you noticed that some high buildings and hotels skip the 13th floor? There are even baseball stadiums that skip the 13th seat! In Louisiana's French Quarter, addresses skip the number 13, and some airports do not have a 13th gate.

But how did this fear get started? Some say it dates back to Norse mythology and ancient Rome. In the Norse myth, 12 gods were having dinner when a 13th guest, Loki, arrived. Loki had Hoder, the blind god of darkness, kill Balder, the god of joy and gladness. When Balder died, the Earth went dark.

In ancient Rome it is said, witches would meet on Fridays, a name derived from Frigga, a goddess in Norse mythology and the mother of Balder, and they would meet in groups of 12 with the 13th person at the gathering being the devil. Interestingly, there is no written evidence for a Friday the 13th superstition before the 19th century. However, folklore has been passed down through traditions.

There is a superstition, thought by some to derive from the Last Supper or a Norse myth, that having thirteen people seated at a table will result in the death of one of the diners. And Black Friday has also been associated with stock market crashes and other disasters since the 1800s. It is also thought that it may have come about because of the Knights Templar being arrested on Friday, October 13, 1307.

A further theory goes back to a combination of Paganism, Christianity, and the Battle of Hastings. At that time, the number 13 was considered a lucky number until the decision was made by King Harold II to go to battle on Saturday the 14th of October, rather than allow his troops a day of rest. This decision of going to battle before the English troops were rested (the English lost and King Harold was killed) further established Friday the 13th as an unlucky day.

Insurance companies have done studies that the results say there are fewer accidents on Friday the 13th as opposed to any other Friday, but that could be because so many people just stay home that day!

Since there is no proof of any real unluck with Friday the 13th, it has just become a way of blaming anything negative that happens to you on that day. Psychologists and other experts have suggested to keep positive thoughts that day and remember that the next day is Saturday!

Jody Victor

Jody Victor : On August 15, 1914, The Panama Railway steamship SS Ancon, piloted by Captain John A. Constantine, the Canal's first pilot, made the first official transit of the canal. Since the largrer more grand celebration had to be cancelled due to World War I, only a modest local affair took place. But that does not diminish how important a techological marvel the canal was and is. Its opening revolutionized world shipping patterns. For example, saving a total of about 7,800 miles on a trip from New York to San Francisco by sea.

As far as military significance of the canal, that was proven in World War II, when the United States used it to help restore their devastated Pacific Fleet. You may remember the story of the lamp-posts alongside the canal being removed to accomodate the extremely large Essex class aircraft carriers' passage through the canal.

Because the canal has such modern technology it is hard to believe that in the 16th century a passage was being considered by the earliest explorers. Even then, the narrow land bridge between North and South America seemed to offer a unique opportunity to create a water passage between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

Between 1881 and 1888, the work on the canal was carred out by a French company headed by de Lessop. Their attempt to build a sea-level canal failed, but only after a great amount of excavation was carried out. Finally in 1899 the US Congress created an Isthmian Canal Commission to examine the possibilities of a Central American canal and to recommend a route. It was determined that a tidal lock should be constructed to preserve the tidal level range of the Pacific which is about 20 feet compared to 1 foot on the Atlantic side.

The construction of the canal was recommenced by the US in 1904. They built 3 sets of locks and 3 dams along the 51 miles between the Atlantic and the Pacific. The entire project was finally completed in 1914. And even today, the canal continues to be not only a viable commercial venture, but also a vital link in world shipping. If you ever get the chance take a cruise through the Panama Canal - you won't regret it!

Jody Victor

Jody Victor: Let's say you are already in our Nation's Capital, Washington, DC, where should you go and what should you see? All the monuments and museums of course, but here are some great places you may not have thought about.

* Head to the National Museum of Women in the Arts, the only museum in the worl dedicated exclusively to recognizing the work of woment artists. It's free on Free Community Sundays, the first Sunday of each month.

* Visit The Phillips Collection in Dupont Circle, America's first museum of modern art, where the permanent collection is free of charge (contributions welcome).

* Follow Georgetown's cobblestone streets to Old Stone House, a National Park Service site and the last pre-Revolutionary building standing in Washington, DC on its original foundation.

* View French paintings of modest size but high-quality in the National Gallery of Art's permanent exhibition, Small French Paintings, on view on the ground level of NGA's East Building.

* Get a behind-the-scenes look at the preservation of art in the Lunder Conservation Center. It's the first art conservation facility allowing the public permanent access to views of essential conservation work. There you'll see staff from the National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum hard at work through floor-to-ceiling windows.

* Take a free or nearly free docent-led tour at one of DC's many museums and other cultural institutions, including the National Archives, the National Air and Space Museum, the Washington National Cathedral (a small donation is required) and many more. Before you go, make sure to check the website of each venue for specific details.

* DC is a city with many festivals taking place all year long. Check Washington.org's event calendar for the latest information on the DC's most popular festivals. They are full of activities and free-of-charge to attend including the National Cherry Blossom Festival, The DC Caribbean Carnival, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival and more.

* If you like shows of all kinds, for a reasonable price, try the Wooly Mammoth Theatre Company's "Pay-what-you-can," seats, offered for the first two performances of every main stage production. Tickets (two-per-person) are sold at the theatre 90 minutes prior to showtime.

* For something a little off the beaten path, visit the National Geographic Museum to check out its free exhibitions that highlight international cultures and natural wonders.

* In Dupont Circle you can dance the night away at Lucky Bar. On Monday nights they have free salsa lessons (and 50 cent tacos) at 8pm. Then keep on dancing with your partner until last call.

Jody Victor