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33rd U.S. President
Harry S. Truman was elected president -
Atomic Bomb Testing
The United States successfully detonated the world's first atomic bomb at the Trinity test site in the desert of New Mexico. -
Hiroshima Bombing
On August 6, 1945, an American B-29 dropped the world's first atomic bomb over the Japanese city of Hiroshima. The explosion wiped out about 90% of the city and killed over 80,000 people. Thousands more died later due to radiation. -
Declaration of War
USSR declares war in Japan in WW2 -
Fat Man
Another atomic bomb is dropped over the city of Nagasaki in Japan by a B-29 bomber. The bomb nicknamed "Fat Man" was intended to hit Kokura, Japan but, due to cloud coverage instead was detonated in the alternate location Nagasaki. About 75,000 people were killed in this bombing, however the emperor of Japan had already decided to surrender before the second bomb was dropped. -
President Truman's Announcement
Three days after the Hiroshima bombing, President Truman speaks to the nation in a radio address: The world will note that the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, a military base. By this time, the United States had already dropped its second bomb on Nagasaki. -
The Allies Refuse
Allies refuse Japan's surrender offer to retain Emperor Hirohito -
Japan Surrenders
On 14 August, Japan agreed to the Allies' terms of surrender. At midday on the following day, Emperor Hirohito broadcast the news to the Japanese people. It was the first time his voice had been heard on the radio -
The End of WW2
Japan surrenders, ending World War II.