The Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

In August 1945, during World War II, the United States dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The bomb on Hiroshima, on August 6, killed approximately 140,000 people, while the Nagasaki bomb on August 9 killed around 74,000. These bombings aimed to force Japan's surrender and end the war quickly, saving lives in a potential invasion. The unprecedented destruction and loss of life also highlighted the devastating power of nuclear weapons, leading to ongoing ethical debates about their use and the importance of nuclear disarmament in international relations.