1945 Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings

In August 1945, during World War II, the United States dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. These bombs caused massive destruction and loss of life, instantly killing tens of thousands and leaving many more suffering from injuries and radiation effects. The bombings led Japan to surrender, ending the war. They also marked the first use of nuclear weapons in warfare, demonstrating their devastating power and raising ethical debates about their use and the implications for future conflicts and arms control.