Timeline: Hiroshima-End of War Timeline

Aug 6, 1945

Bombing of Hiroshima

First atomic bomb is dropped on Hiroshima, Japan, at around 8:15 A.M. The bomb, nicknamed Little Boy, instatnly kills 80,000 people. Tens of thousands more are killed in the long term because of radiation poisoning.

Aug 7, 1945

Japan Finds Information About Atomic Bomb

The Japanese imperial headquarters stated a new type of bomb had been created by the Americans and dropped on Hiroshima. The US confirmed that it was a single bomb that destroyed Hiroshima.

Aug 8, 1945

Soviet Union Declares War on Japan

The Soviet Union declares war on Japan, sending over 1 million soldiers onto Manchuria, northeastern China, to take on the 700,000-strong Japanese army.

Aug 9, 1945

United States Drops Bomb on Nagasaki

Since the Japanese did not surrender after having Hiroshima bomb, the United States decided to bomb Nagasaki with the bomb nicknamed "Fat Man." The bomb killed between 60,000 and 80,000 people.

Period: Aug 9, 1945 to Aug 10, 1945

Japan Holds a Surrender Meeting

A council was held after the bombing of Nagasaki reguarding the idea of surrendering. The vote was 3-3 for surrendering/not surrendering, and the tie breaker came from Emperor Hirohito.

Aug 10, 1945

Japan Offers to Surrender to the United States

Japan offers to surrender to the Allies, the only condition being that the emperor would be allowed to remain the nomial head of state.

Aug 11, 1945

Allies Refuses Japan's Surrender Offer

Japan had a single condition- that the emperor be allowed to remain the nomial head of state. This offer was denied and the war continued.

Aug 12, 1945

United States Decides to Accept Surrender on One Condition

United States announced that it would accept the Japanese surrender on the terms that the emperor could remain in a purely ceremonial capacity only. Debates raged in Japan and American leaders began growing impatient.

Aug 13, 1945

Conventional Air Raids Resume on Japan

Since Japanese leaders could not come to a decision quick enough, the United States begins bombing Japanese towns again. Thousands more Japanese civilians died.

Aug 14, 1945

Japanese Citizens Learn of American Terms for Surrender

On August 14, B-29s showered Tokyo with thousands of leaflets containing translated copies of the American reply of August 12. The emperor called another meeting and told them to accept the American terms immediately because he could not handle more innocent people dying.