ten years ago ktvu's bob mckenzie brought us this look back at august 14, 1945, the day the war ended. >> reporter: 37:87 p.m. eastern wartime. >> the japanese have accepted our terms fully. that's the word we've just received from the white house in washington. this, ladies and gentlemen, is the end of the second world war. >> 55 years ter, it's hard for us to imagine the wave of relief and joy that spread across the world on august 14, 1945. the long bloody, frightening war was over, really over. in san francisco crowds filled the streets. bankers and streetsweepers, welders and nurses, people from all walks of life wanting to be together and share the moment. [ music ] [ applause ] >> reporter: pat castor was the manager of the emporium's book department. when she left work that day she stepped out into a roaring mob. >> it was a joyful chaos. it really was a joyful thing. but i felt very strongly that i had to get home. as long as things were running. i wasn't frightened. i was afraid that my cable car might be pushed over or not -- we -- i couldn't get home. >> reporter: young wa