On this day in … 1945


An atomic bomb is dropped on the Japanese city of Nagasaki. It follows the destruction of Hiroshima three days earlier.

The explosion unleashed the equivalent force of 22,000 tons of TNT. Nagasaki nestles in a valley surrounded by hills. This geography intensified the destructive force of the bomb.

It is estimated that between 60,000 and 80,000 were killed. No one will ever know the exact figure, as the blast completely wiped out all trace of bodies and destroyed official records.

After the devastating attacks on two of her cities, Japan finally agreed to an unconditional surrender.

Atomic bombing of Nagasaki on August 9, 1945 by Charles Levy from one of the B-29 Superfortresses used in the attack.