mr. dolkart: you have a reception. wine, water, books, and pretzels. you are very welcome. [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2015] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. visit ncicap.org] >> you are watching american history tv. follow us to keep up with the latest news. >> the last beachhead, japan. august 30, 1945. at the airport. general of the army douglas macarthur, commander in chief over the army forces in the

pacific, designated commander to accept the surrender of the japanese. he was met by the lieutenant general commanding the eighth army. september 1, 1945. >> it is my earnest hope and indeed the whole of all mankind

pe of all mankind that a better world will emerge from the blood and carnage of the past. founded on faith and understanding. a world dedicated to the dignity of man and the fulfillment of his most sure wish -- surest herished wish for freedom and justice. i know invite representatives of the emperor of japan and the japanese government and the japanese imperial headquarters to sign the instrument of surrender at the places indicated.

>> the supreme commander of the allied powers will now sign on behalf of all of the nations at war with japan. general wainwright in general personal, step forward and accompany me while -- and general principle steps -- gene percival step forward and accompany me while i sign. >> the representatives of the

united states of america will now sign. >> admiral halsey. >> let us pray that peace now restored to the world and that god will preserve it always. these proceedings are closed. [cheering]

to you, beloved comrade vowake this solemn the fight will go on on fight will still go ♪ wonow that we've onwill still go the fight will go on ♪ e saidrence harding onc

that she had only one hobby and that was her husband. was a significant force despite her husband's infidelities and her own poor health. she would help to define the role of the modern first lady. tonight on the original series "first ladies," examining the public and private lives of the as firstt served ladies from martha washington to michelle obama. on c-span3. 45, 70 years ago, american forces dropped to atomic bombs over japan. up next, peggy bowditch remembers going up in los alamos new mexico next to robert

oppenheimer who became known as the father of the atomic bomb. she talks about the party her parents hosted for famous scientist, as well as her family's relationship with the oppenheimer's. this 90 minute oil -- oral history is from the voices of the atomic project. peggy: i was born in washington dc in 1934. navy so weas in the , and irae and there berlin in california and virginia, and then new mexico. and when we first arrived in new mexico i thought it was the worst dump i have ever seen. having moved from tidewater, wateria, with tons of