14. The Atomic Bomb
The detonation of atomic bombs over Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 ended World War II and forever altered global politics and military strategy. The immense destructive power brought about the nuclear age, introducing deterrence and shifting focus from ground wars to the threat of annihilation. The bombings led to Japan’s surrender and marked the first and only use of nuclear weapons in warfare. (history.com)
