United States Drops Atomic Bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki

The United States dropped the first atomic bomb, known as Little Boy, on Hiroshima, Japan, on August 6, 1945. Three days later, a second bomb, Fat Man, was deployed on Nagasaki. These attacks caused tens of thousands of deaths and widespread illness, which hastened Japan's surrender and concluded World War II.

President Harry S. Truman characterized the bombings as the greatest achievement of organized science in history. The attacks marked the beginning of the nuclear age, sparking a global arms race as the Soviet Union, United Kingdom, France, China, India, Pakistan, and North Korea developed their own nuclear capabilities.

Perspectives on the legacy of these events vary. Some argue that nuclear deterrence has prevented larger conflicts, while others warn that the primary threat to modern civilization is the potential use of nuclear weapons by irresponsible leaders.