11. The Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki (August 6 & 9, 1945)
On August 6 and 9, 1945, during World War II, the United States dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, respectively. The first bomb, codenamed “Little Boy,” was dropped on Hiroshima, instantly killing an estimated 70,000 people. Three days later, the second bomb, “Fat Man,” was dropped on Nagasaki, resulting in approximately 40,000 immediate deaths. These bombings led to Japan’s surrender and the end of World War II but have left enduring moral and ethical questions regarding the use of nuclear weapons. For more detailed information, visit the Atomic Heritage Foundation’s account of the bombings.
