1945 The First Atomic Bomb in War
In July 1945
The Japanese soldiers continued to fight bloody battles in what had become known as the Pacific Theater although Germany had already surrendered to the Allied Forces in May, 1945. The Americans began to believe that almost nothing would cause Japan to surrender.
On 26 July, 1945
The U.S. president Harry S. Truman released a document for dispatch known as the "Potsdam Declaration" which required Japan's unconditional surrender and outlined the terms. The next day, Japan's prime minister, Baron Kantaro Suzuki stated that Japan would ignore the Potsdam Declaration entirely and resolutely fight for the "successful conclusion of the war". It was clear that Japan intended to keep fighting.
On 6 August, 1945
A Little Boy atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. Four square miles of the city were wiped out entirely and 90% of the city's buildings were destroyed by the equivalent of 12500 pounds of TNT. The death toll could not be calculated immediately. Still, the Japanese refused to surrender.
On 9 August, 1945
Another bomb " Fat Man" was dropped on the southern city of Nagasaki, killing 40000 and destroying the city.
On 14 August, 1945
Emperor Hirohito announced Japan's surrender.
On 2 September, 1945
The Second World War officially came to an end.
By the end of 1945, the deaths in Hiroshima amounted to 145000.
In the following five years, tens of thousands more died of radiation
poisoning.
(C)1999 ThinkQuest Team 27954