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Aug. 16, 1945
RANDOLPH -Special Services Held At All Randolph Churches in Observance of Peace Randolph joined the rest of the nation in rejoicing Tuesday as the joyful news of Japan’s surrender was received. The news had been eagerly awaited for several days and there were few Randolphans who did not have their radios tuned to receive President Truman’s expected announcement at six o’clock that evening.
At the close of his announcement of the acceptance of Japan’s unconditional surrender, the Randolph siren blew for one full minute and again a few minutes later to signify that the war had come to an end.
Spontaneous celebrations broke out all over the nation as Americans expressed their great joy over the end of a long and costly war. Randolph stores and business houses were closed all day Wednesday in observance of the peace declaration. A legal holiday of two days was declared by President Truman for all federal employees.
Flags were flown in Randolph throughout the day Wednesday and that night special services were held in all Randolph churches to give thanks for the victory of this nation and to pray that the new peace might be everlasting and that those men who gave their lives in this struggle might not have died in vain.
Rev. D. A. McCullough conducted the services at the Methodist church and Rev. H. E. Hoff officiated at the special services at the St. John’s Lutheran church. Rev. O. W. Henn conducted the services at the Presbyterian church.
A holy hour in observance of the peace was held at 8:30 that evening at St. Frances church with Rev. Herman Kaup officiating.
Divine services were held on Thursday morning at Hope Lutheran church west of Randolph with Rev. Hoff conducting the services in observance of the end of hostilities.
