History

World War II was coming to a close after Germany finally surrendered on May 7, 1945. However, the Allies were still at war with Japan. They began to close in on Japan, starting with the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Unfortunately, in the process of capturing these two islands, approximately 18,800 Americans were killed. It was estimated that if Japan was invaded, millions of American soldiers would die in the process. As a result, the U.S. began to think of possible alternatives.

Meanwhile, a top secret project was taking place in the U.S. It had been previously discovered by Leo Szilard that German scientists had been working to split atoms. He suggested that splitting atoms might release an enormous amount of energy. He was worried that the Nazis were working on building an atomic bomb, so he suggested that the U.S. build one as well. Roosevelt set up a committee to study the issue. They met with British scientists who were already working on an atomic bomb. The British convinced Roosevelt to begin a program to build an atomic bomb. This was called the Manhattan Project.

The world's first atomic bomb was detonated near Alamogordo, New Mexico on July 16, 1945. The United States was now armed with the most lethal weapon at the time. American officials were now in debate over a very extreme decision: whether to drop the bomb on Japan or not. Some argued that it was the only way to make the Japanese surrender while others believed that there were other more reasonable options. The deciding factor, in the end, for President Truman, was the fact that if the bomb was dropped rather than Japan being invaded, an incredible amount of American lives could be spared.  Thus the process began.

The Allies, at first, tried threatening Japan. They told them they could either surrender or face mass destruction.  Japan gave no response. Preparations for the first bomb to be dropped were made. It was to be dropped on the city of Hiroshima, a large and important location in Japan.  A B-29 bomber named Enola Gay dropped the bomb, nicknamed "Little Boy" on Hiroshima at 8:15 A.M. on August 6, 1945. It exploded within 43 seconds, leaving nothing but miles of wreckage. The sudden and unexpected annihilation of so many buildings and people left Japan in shock, and only three days later the second bomb was dropped.  This bomb, nicknamed "Fat Man" was dropped on the city of Nagasaki on August 9. This same day, the Soviet Union declared war on Japan.  Faced with destruction and the threat of war, Japan surrendered. The surrender was made official on August 15, 1945, V-J Day.

This was Enola Gay, the beginning of Japan's total annihilation.

People all around the U.S. celebrated as Japan lay in ruins.