What do You Know About Hiroshima and Nagasaki Atomic Bombs?

In early August 1945, the United States dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, causing massive destruction and killing more than 210,000 people. The devastation led to Japan’s surrender and brought an end to World War II.

The decision to use atomic weapons against Japan was made by President Harry S. Truman. He was advised by a group of his closest military and civilian advisors, who concluded that the bombings were necessary to bring about a quick end to the war and save lives that would be lost in a land invasion of Japan. In July 1945, the United States, Britain, and China issued the Potsdam Declaration, which called for Japan’s unconditional surrender. The Japanese government ignored the ultimatum, and on August 6, the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima. On August 8, the Soviet Union declared war on Japan, and on August 9, the United States dropped another atomic bomb on Nagasaki. On August 15, Japan announced its surrender.

During World War II, scientists in the United States and Britain worked on a secret project called the Manhattan Project to develop an atomic weapon. In early 1945, they successfully tested their first nuclear weapon in New Mexico. As the war continued in Europe and Asia, leaders in the United States grew increasingly concerned that Germany might develop its own atomic bomb and gain a military advantage over the Allies. At the same time, American military officials were planning for a possible invasion of Japan (an operation that would come to be known as “Operation Downfall”). They estimated that such an invasion would result in heavy casualties on both sides.

In July 1945, after meeting with his advisors, President Truman decided to drop an atomic bomb on Japan as a way to force a quick surrender and avoid a costly invasion. He gave orders for two bombs to be prepared: one for Hiroshima and one for Nagasaki. On August 6, the Enola Gay—a B-29 bomber piloted by Colonel Paul Tibbets—dropped an atomic bomb (which was nicknamed “Little Boy”) on Hiroshima. The bomb exploded with the force of 16 kilotons of TNT (about equal to 1 million tons of dynamite) and destroyed approximately five square miles of the city. An estimated 70,000 to 80,000 people were killed instantly, and many more were injured or died later from burns or radiation poisoning.

Three days later, on August 9, another B-29 bomber (nicknamed “Fat Man”) dropped a second atomic bomb on Nagasaki. This bomb was more powerful than “Little Boy”—exploding with 22 kilotons of TNT—and destroyed about two square miles of Nagasaki. An estimated 40,000 people were killed immediately, with many more dying later from injuries or radiation exposure.

On August 15—the same day that “Fat Man” was dropped on Nagasaki—Japan’s Emperor Hirohito announced his country’s surrender in a radio address to the Japanese people (this speech came to be known as the “Jewel Voice Broadcast”). The following day—August 16—the United States celebrated “Victory over Japan Day.” World War II had finally come to an end.

Although it resulted in Japan’s surrender and saved lives that would have been lost in a land invasion of the country, President Truman’s decision to drop atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki remains controversial. Some critics argue that such a monumental act of destruction was morally wrong and not necessary to win the war (especially since Japan was already close to defeat). Others point out that hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians were killed in these attacks, raising important questions about whether any use of nuclear weapons can ever be justified.

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