Hiroshima Day: All You Need To Know About The Heart-Wrenching Bombing In World History

Hiroshima Day: All You Need To Know About The Heart-Wrenching Bombing In World History

On the morning of August 6, 1945, an American B-29 bomber dropped 'Little Boy,' on Hiroshima city killing almost 80,000 people instantly. A thousand others died belatedly due to radiation exposure.

FPJ Web DeskUpdated: Saturday, August 05, 2023, 11:38 AM IST
article-image
Hiroshima Day | File

Hiroshima Day is observed on August 6 every year to raise awareness of the disastrous effects of the atom bomb and the need to promote "peace politics" among nations.

Significance of Hiroshima Day

The day is a reminder of the bombing attack on Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the United States during World War II in 1945, which destroyed almost 90% of the city and killed thousands of people.

The bombings on the two Japanese cities were the first time that an atomic bomb was used outside testing. No nuclear weapon has ever been used against a target ever since.

Hiroshima Day 2021 marks the 76th anniversary of the killings.

History of Hiroshima Day

After Germany's surrender to the Allied forces in May 1945, the Second World War continued in Asia as the Allies fought imperial Japan.

The United States believed that the use of a nuclear bomb would force Japan to yield and save millions of US casualties.

The US created two atom bombs through the Manhattan Project, a program for developing nuclear weapons. The first bomb called 'Little Boy', was to be dropped on Hiroshima, and the second one, called 'Fat Man', was to be dropped on Nagasaki

On the morning of August 6, 1945, an American B-29 bomber dropped 'Little Boy,' on Hiroshima city killing almost 80,000 people instantly. A thousand others died belatedly due to radiation exposure.

After three days, on August 9, another B-29 dropped 'Fat Man' on Nagasaki killing another 40,000 people.

The bombings marked the end of World War II as six days after the explosion over Nagasaki, on August 15, Japan was forced to yield to the Allied Powers.

According to officials, the decision to use nuclear weapons against Japan was made after an analysis revealed that a far greater number of people would have died if Japan was invaded by Allied forces.

Why was Hiroshima targeted?

The city was targeted because it held strategic personnel and installations. Hiroshima was the headquarters of the 2nd General Army and 5th Division with 40,000 Japanese combatants posted within the city's limit. Many other cities were chosen for similar reasons, however, some were rejected due to bad weather.

According to sources, around 54% of the deaths in Hiroshima were combatants and slave labourers while 72% of the deaths in Nagasaki were war industry employees and slave labourers.

Japan's harrowing experience during the Second World War led to the adoption of the three Non-Nuclear Principles which stated that the country would not create or try to arrange nuclear weapons in the future.

During the annual Hiroshima anniversary, the government reconfirms its commitment to a nuclear-free world.

RECENT STORIES

'Institutional Murder': Congress Leader Pappu Yadav Remarks On The Death Of Mukhtar Ansari

'Institutional Murder': Congress Leader Pappu Yadav Remarks On The Death Of Mukhtar Ansari

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: BJP Unveils Campaign Strategy In UP, Books 19 Chartered Planes For Star...

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: BJP Unveils Campaign Strategy In UP, Books 19 Chartered Planes For Star...

Kolkata: BJP Leader Dilip Ghosh Once Again Makes Controversial Statement Against TMC After ECI Sends...

Kolkata: BJP Leader Dilip Ghosh Once Again Makes Controversial Statement Against TMC After ECI Sends...

Kolkata: TMC Leader Mahua Moitra Skips ED Summons, To Start Campaigning For Upcoming Lok Sabha...

Kolkata: TMC Leader Mahua Moitra Skips ED Summons, To Start Campaigning For Upcoming Lok Sabha...

ED Questions AAP Leaders In Goa Liquor Policy Scam Investigation; Kejriwal's Custody Extended

ED Questions AAP Leaders In Goa Liquor Policy Scam Investigation; Kejriwal's Custody Extended