On two days in August 1945, U.S. planes dropped atomic bombs, one on Hiroshima, one on Nagasaki, the first and only time nuclear weapons have been used in war. Japan surrendered on Aug. 15, ending World War II.Â
An allied correspondent stands in the rubble Sept. 8, 1945, in front of the shell of a building that once was a exhibition center and government office in Hiroshima, Japan, a month after the first atomic bomb ever used in warfare was dropped by the U.S. on Aug. 6, 1945. (AP File Photo | Stanley Troutman)
- AP File Photo | Stanley Troutman
The shell of a building stands amid acres of rubble in this view of the Japanese city of Hiroshima Aug. 8, 1945. On Aug. 6, 1945, a U.S. plane dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, the first nuclear weapon has been used in war. Japan surrendered on Aug. 15, ending World War II. (AP Photo | Mitsugi Kishida)
- AP Photo | Mitsugi Kishida
Only a handful of buildings remain standing amid the wasteland of Hiroshima, Sept. 8, 1945, the Japanese city reduced to rubble following the first atomic bomb to be dropped in warfare. On Aug. 6, 1945, a U.S. plane dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, the first nuclear weapon has been used in war. Japan surrendered on Aug. 15, ending World War II. (AP File Photo)
- AP File Photo
This reconnaissance photo from 1945 provided by the Museum of World War II Boston shows targeting information for the atomic bombing mission to Hiroshima. An original copy of the operations order for dropping an atomic bomb on Hiroshima is on display at the private museum in the Boston suburbs as the deadly attack marks its 70th anniversary. (Museum of World War II Boston | AP)
- Museum of World War II Boston | AP
Two people walk on a cleared path Sept. 8, 1945. The destruction resulted from the Aug. 6, 1945, detonation of the first atomic bomb in Hiroshima, western Japan. On Aug. 6, 1945, a U.S. plane dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, the first nuclear weapon has been used in war. Japan surrendered on Aug. 15, 1945, ending World War II. (AP File Photo | U.S. Air Force)
- AP File Photo | U.S. Air Force)
Soldiers and civilians walk through the grim remains of Hiroshima, Aug. 8, 1945, two days after the atomic bomb explosion of Aug. 6, 1945. The building on left with columned facade was the HiroshimaBank. To its right, with arched front entrance, was the Sumitomo Bank. On Aug. 6, 1945, a U.S. plane dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, the first nuclear weapon has been used in war. Japan surrendered on Aug. 15, ending World War II. (AP Photo)
- AP Photo)
Smoke rises around 20,000 feet above Hiroshima, Japan, Aug. 6, 1945, after the first atomic bomb was dropped. On two days in August 1945, U.S. planes dropped two atomic bombs, one on Hiroshima, one on Nagasaki, the first and only time nuclear weapons have been used. Their destructive power was unprecedented, incinerating buildings and people, and leaving lifelong scars on survivors, not just physical but also psychological, and on the cities themselves. Days later, World War II was over. (AP Photo | File)
- AP Photo | File
Shortly after the first atomic bomb ever used in warfare was dropped Aug. 6, 1945, by the United States over the Japanese city of Hiroshima, survivors are seen as they receive emergency treatment by military medics. On two days in August 1945, U.S. planes dropped two atomic bombs, one on Hiroshima, one on Nagasaki, the first and only time nuclear weapons have been used. Their destructive power was unprecedented, incinerating buildings and people, and leaving lifelong scars on survivors, not just physical but also psychological, and on the cities themselves. Days later, World War II was over. (AP Photo | File)
- AP Photo | File
FILE- In this Aug. 6, 1945, file photo, aboard the cruiser Augusta, President Harry S. Truman, with a radio at hand, reads reports of the first atomic bomb raid on Japan, while en route home from the Potsdam conference aboard the cruiser Augusta, Aug. 6, 1945. On two days in August 1945, U.S. planes dropped two atomic bombs, one on Hiroshima, one on Nagasaki, the first and only time nuclear weapons have been used. Their destructive power was unprecedented, incinerating buildings and people, and leaving lifelong scars on survivors, not just physical but also psychological, and on the cities themselves. Days later, World War II was over. (AP Photo | File)
- AP Photo | File
Survivors of the first atomic bomb ever used in warfare are seen as they await emergency medical treatment in Hiroshima, Japan, Aug. 6, 1945. On two days in August 1945, U.S. planes dropped two atomic bombs, one on Hiroshima, one on Nagasaki, the first and only time nuclear weapons have been used. Their destructive power was unprecedented, incinerating buildings and people, and leaving lifelong scars on survivors, not just physical but also psychological, and on the cities themselves. Days later, World War II was over. (AP Photo | File
- AP Photo | File
The remains of a factory (upper left) are recognizable in the southern Japanese city of Nagasaki, gutted by the Aug. 9, 1945, atomic bombing. On two days in August 1945, U.S. planes dropped two atomic bombs, one on Hiroshima, one on Nagasaki, the first and only time nuclear weapons have been used. Their destructive power was unprecedented, incinerating buildings and people, and leaving lifelong scars on survivors, not just physical but also psychological, and on the cities themselves. Days later, World War II was over. (AP Photo | File)
- AP Photo | File
The skeleton of a Catholic Church (foreground) and an unidentified building (center) are all that remains at the blast center area after the atomic bomb of Hiroshima, Japan, Sept. 5, 1945. On two days in August 1945, U.S. planes dropped two atomic bombs, one on Hiroshima, one on Nagasaki, the first and only time nuclear weapons have been used. Their destructive power was unprecedented, incinerating buildings and people, and leaving lifelong scars on survivors, not just physical but also psychological, and on the cities themselves. Days later, World War II was over. (AP Photo | File)
- AP Photo | File
Survivors of the first atomic bomb ever used in warfare are seen as they await emergency medical treatment in Hiroshima, Japan, Aug. 6, 1945. On two days in August 1945, U.S. planes dropped two atomic bombs, one on Hiroshima, one on Nagasaki, the first and only time nuclear weapons have been used. Their destructive power was unprecedented, incinerating buildings and people, and leaving lifelong scars on survivors, not just physical but also psychological, and on the cities themselves. Days later, World War II was over. (AP Photo | File)
- AP Photo | File
Shortly after the first atomic bomb ever used in warfare was dropped by the United States over the Japanese city of Hiroshima, survivors are seen  Aug. 6, 1945, as they receive emergency treatment by military medics. On two days in August 1945, U.S. planes dropped two atomic bombs, one on Hiroshima, one on Nagasaki, the first and only time nuclear weapons have been used. Their destructive power was unprecedented, incinerating buildings and people, and leaving lifelong scars on survivors, not just physical but also psychological, and on the cities themselves. Days later, World War II was over. (AP Photo | File)
- AP Photo | File
Tsuyuko Nakao, 92, (right) and Kinuyo Ikegami, 77, both bereaved family members of the atomic bomb victims, console each other as they pray for the victims in front of the cenotaph at the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, western Japan, Friday, Aug. 6, 2010. Hiroshima marked the 65th anniversary of the the world's first atomic bomb attack that devastated the western Japanese city at the closing days of World War II. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
- Shuji Kajiyama
With the gutted Atomic Bomb Dome in the background, a boy releases a paper lantern on the Motoyasu River for a memorial service of the atomic bomb victims in Hiroshima, western Japan, Friday, Aug. 6, 2010. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
- Shuji Kajiyama
A man holds a portrait of an atomic bomb victim as he prays in front of the cenotaph at the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, western Japan, Friday, Aug. 6, 2010. Hiroshima marked the 65th anniversary of the the world's first atomic bomb attack that devastated the western Japanese city at the closing days of World War II. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
- Shuji Kajiyama
A mushroom cloud rises moments after the atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, southern Japan, Aug. 9, 1945. On two days in August 1945, U.S. planes dropped two atomic bombs, one on Hiroshima, one on Nagasaki, the first and only time nuclear weapons have been used. Their destructive power was unprecedented, incinerating buildings and people, and leaving lifelong scars on survivors, not just physical but also psychological, and on the cities themselves. Days later, World War II was over. (AP Photo | File)
- AP Photo | File
More like this...
An allied correspondent stands in the rubble Sept. 8, 1945, in front of the shell of a building that once was a exhibition center and government office in Hiroshima, Japan, a month after the first atomic bomb ever used in warfare was dropped by the U.S. on Aug. 6, 1945. (AP File Photo | Stanley Troutman)
- AP File Photo | Stanley Troutman
The shell of a building stands amid acres of rubble in this view of the Japanese city of Hiroshima Aug. 8, 1945. On Aug. 6, 1945, a U.S. plane dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, the first nuclear weapon has been used in war. Japan surrendered on Aug. 15, ending World War II. (AP Photo | Mitsugi Kishida)
- AP Photo | Mitsugi Kishida
Only a handful of buildings remain standing amid the wasteland of Hiroshima, Sept. 8, 1945, the Japanese city reduced to rubble following the first atomic bomb to be dropped in warfare. On Aug. 6, 1945, a U.S. plane dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, the first nuclear weapon has been used in war. Japan surrendered on Aug. 15, ending World War II. (AP File Photo)
- AP File Photo
This reconnaissance photo from 1945 provided by the Museum of World War II Boston shows targeting information for the atomic bombing mission to Hiroshima. An original copy of the operations order for dropping an atomic bomb on Hiroshima is on display at the private museum in the Boston suburbs as the deadly attack marks its 70th anniversary. (Museum of World War II Boston | AP)
- Museum of World War II Boston | AP
Two people walk on a cleared path Sept. 8, 1945. The destruction resulted from the Aug. 6, 1945, detonation of the first atomic bomb in Hiroshima, western Japan. On Aug. 6, 1945, a U.S. plane dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, the first nuclear weapon has been used in war. Japan surrendered on Aug. 15, 1945, ending World War II. (AP File Photo | U.S. Air Force)
- AP File Photo | U.S. Air Force)
Soldiers and civilians walk through the grim remains of Hiroshima, Aug. 8, 1945, two days after the atomic bomb explosion of Aug. 6, 1945. The building on left with columned facade was the HiroshimaBank. To its right, with arched front entrance, was the Sumitomo Bank. On Aug. 6, 1945, a U.S. plane dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, the first nuclear weapon has been used in war. Japan surrendered on Aug. 15, ending World War II. (AP Photo)
- AP Photo)
Smoke rises around 20,000 feet above Hiroshima, Japan, Aug. 6, 1945, after the first atomic bomb was dropped. On two days in August 1945, U.S. planes dropped two atomic bombs, one on Hiroshima, one on Nagasaki, the first and only time nuclear weapons have been used. Their destructive power was unprecedented, incinerating buildings and people, and leaving lifelong scars on survivors, not just physical but also psychological, and on the cities themselves. Days later, World War II was over. (AP Photo | File)
- AP Photo | File
Shortly after the first atomic bomb ever used in warfare was dropped Aug. 6, 1945, by the United States over the Japanese city of Hiroshima, survivors are seen as they receive emergency treatment by military medics. On two days in August 1945, U.S. planes dropped two atomic bombs, one on Hiroshima, one on Nagasaki, the first and only time nuclear weapons have been used. Their destructive power was unprecedented, incinerating buildings and people, and leaving lifelong scars on survivors, not just physical but also psychological, and on the cities themselves. Days later, World War II was over. (AP Photo | File)
- AP Photo | File
FILE- In this Aug. 6, 1945, file photo, aboard the cruiser Augusta, President Harry S. Truman, with a radio at hand, reads reports of the first atomic bomb raid on Japan, while en route home from the Potsdam conference aboard the cruiser Augusta, Aug. 6, 1945. On two days in August 1945, U.S. planes dropped two atomic bombs, one on Hiroshima, one on Nagasaki, the first and only time nuclear weapons have been used. Their destructive power was unprecedented, incinerating buildings and people, and leaving lifelong scars on survivors, not just physical but also psychological, and on the cities themselves. Days later, World War II was over. (AP Photo | File)
- AP Photo | File
Survivors of the first atomic bomb ever used in warfare are seen as they await emergency medical treatment in Hiroshima, Japan, Aug. 6, 1945. On two days in August 1945, U.S. planes dropped two atomic bombs, one on Hiroshima, one on Nagasaki, the first and only time nuclear weapons have been used. Their destructive power was unprecedented, incinerating buildings and people, and leaving lifelong scars on survivors, not just physical but also psychological, and on the cities themselves. Days later, World War II was over. (AP Photo | File
- AP Photo | File
The remains of a factory (upper left) are recognizable in the southern Japanese city of Nagasaki, gutted by the Aug. 9, 1945, atomic bombing. On two days in August 1945, U.S. planes dropped two atomic bombs, one on Hiroshima, one on Nagasaki, the first and only time nuclear weapons have been used. Their destructive power was unprecedented, incinerating buildings and people, and leaving lifelong scars on survivors, not just physical but also psychological, and on the cities themselves. Days later, World War II was over. (AP Photo | File)
- AP Photo | File
The skeleton of a Catholic Church (foreground) and an unidentified building (center) are all that remains at the blast center area after the atomic bomb of Hiroshima, Japan, Sept. 5, 1945. On two days in August 1945, U.S. planes dropped two atomic bombs, one on Hiroshima, one on Nagasaki, the first and only time nuclear weapons have been used. Their destructive power was unprecedented, incinerating buildings and people, and leaving lifelong scars on survivors, not just physical but also psychological, and on the cities themselves. Days later, World War II was over. (AP Photo | File)
- AP Photo | File
Survivors of the first atomic bomb ever used in warfare are seen as they await emergency medical treatment in Hiroshima, Japan, Aug. 6, 1945. On two days in August 1945, U.S. planes dropped two atomic bombs, one on Hiroshima, one on Nagasaki, the first and only time nuclear weapons have been used. Their destructive power was unprecedented, incinerating buildings and people, and leaving lifelong scars on survivors, not just physical but also psychological, and on the cities themselves. Days later, World War II was over. (AP Photo | File)
- AP Photo | File
Shortly after the first atomic bomb ever used in warfare was dropped by the United States over the Japanese city of Hiroshima, survivors are seen  Aug. 6, 1945, as they receive emergency treatment by military medics. On two days in August 1945, U.S. planes dropped two atomic bombs, one on Hiroshima, one on Nagasaki, the first and only time nuclear weapons have been used. Their destructive power was unprecedented, incinerating buildings and people, and leaving lifelong scars on survivors, not just physical but also psychological, and on the cities themselves. Days later, World War II was over. (AP Photo | File)
- AP Photo | File
Tsuyuko Nakao, 92, (right) and Kinuyo Ikegami, 77, both bereaved family members of the atomic bomb victims, console each other as they pray for the victims in front of the cenotaph at the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, western Japan, Friday, Aug. 6, 2010. Hiroshima marked the 65th anniversary of the the world's first atomic bomb attack that devastated the western Japanese city at the closing days of World War II. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
- Shuji Kajiyama
With the gutted Atomic Bomb Dome in the background, a boy releases a paper lantern on the Motoyasu River for a memorial service of the atomic bomb victims in Hiroshima, western Japan, Friday, Aug. 6, 2010. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
- Shuji Kajiyama
A man holds a portrait of an atomic bomb victim as he prays in front of the cenotaph at the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, western Japan, Friday, Aug. 6, 2010. Hiroshima marked the 65th anniversary of the the world's first atomic bomb attack that devastated the western Japanese city at the closing days of World War II. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
- Shuji Kajiyama
A mushroom cloud rises moments after the atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, southern Japan, Aug. 9, 1945. On two days in August 1945, U.S. planes dropped two atomic bombs, one on Hiroshima, one on Nagasaki, the first and only time nuclear weapons have been used. Their destructive power was unprecedented, incinerating buildings and people, and leaving lifelong scars on survivors, not just physical but also psychological, and on the cities themselves. Days later, World War II was over. (AP Photo | File)
- AP Photo | File
More like this...
As featured on
Within a mile of the target, 70 percent of people would be killed by the blast or fire, which would destroy everything inside this one-mile circle.
