Updated August 9, 2024 at 1:00 p.m.
Nagasaki was bombed on this day in 1945, towards the end of World War II.
Get This Happened straight to your inbox ✉️ each day! Sign up here.
Was Nagasaki the first choice for the bombing?
The primary target for the second atomic bomb was the city of Kokura. However, due to poor visibility caused by clouds and smoke from a firebombing raid on another nearby city, the B-29 bomber named Bockscar, which was carrying the bomb "Fat Man," diverted to the secondary target of Nagasaki. The city was chosen as an alternative target because it had not been heavily bombed previously and was considered a valuable industrial and military center.
What was the impact of the atomic bomb on Nagasaki?
The atomic bomb caused immense destruction and loss of life in Nagasaki. The blast killed an estimated 70,000 people, with many more suffering injuries and radiation-related illnesses. The city's infrastructure and buildings were devastated, leaving a lasting impact on the community.
How does the bombing of Nagasaki relate to the bombings of Hiroshima?
The bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima were both conducted by the United States near the end of World War II. Hiroshima was bombed on August 6, 1945, followed by Nagasaki on August 9. These bombings marked the first and only use of nuclear weapons in warfare.
Did the bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima lead to Japan's surrender?
The bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima played a significant role in Japan's surrender. The devastation caused by the atomic bombs, coupled with the Soviet Union's declaration of war on Japan, contributed to the decision by Emperor Hirohito to announce Japan's surrender on August 15, 1945.