The Manhattan Project and the Atomic Bomb

Einstein Sent Letter to FDR

Aug 2, 1939

Einstein warned President Roosevelt about the discovery of fission and that it could create a very powerful bomb. He also warned FDR that Germany was working on making such a weapon. Based on this information, Einstein advised FDR to fund research on nuclear fission. (http://americanhistory.about.com/library/timelines/bltimelinemanhat.htm)
image(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Einstein)

Plutonium Discovered

Feb 25, 1941

Glenn T. Seaborg and his team discovered plutonium and found that it was fissionable. Soon after they discoverd it was more fissionable than uranium-235. image(http://www.livescience.com/39871-facts-about-plutonium.html)

FDR recieves letter from Einstein

Oct 11, 1941

Franklin Roosevelt took Einstein's warning very seriously and turned his suggestions into actions. (http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1644.html)
image(http://www.aip.org/history/einstein/nuclear1.htm)

The development of the Atomic Bomb was declared.

Oct 21, 1941

FDR gives the go-ahead to start develpoing an atomic bomb. (http://americanhistory.about.com/library/timelines/bltimelinemanhat.htm)
image(http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2009/09/obama-channels-fdr-in-defending-public-option-on-health-care.html)

FDR authorizes the Manhattan Engineering District to Create an Atomic Bomb

Dec 6, 1941

The ultimate goal of the Manhattan Project was to create a chain reaction, and with that, develop a weapon. (http://pages.towson.edu/brenda/newmexico/manhat.htm)

U.S. Nuclear Pogram Created

Jun 12, 1942

Under the Army Corps of Engineers. This started the United States in the race to create an atomic bomb before Germany and Japan, thier enemies in the war.

Executive Committee Formed

Jun 19, 1942

Consisting of Bush, Conant, Compton, Lawrence and Urey, these men were leaders in the project. Only select scientists were involved with the secretive project. (http://www.science.uwaterloo.ca/~cchieh/cact/nuctek/fissionmanhattan.html)
image(http://www.osti.gov/manhattan-project-history/Events/1942/final_approval_build.htm)

Fisrt Nuclear Chain Reaction

Dec 2, 1942

Enrico Fermi, an italian physicist, worked with a team at the University of Chicago and created the first controlled reaction. (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aso/databank/entries/dp42fe.html)
image(http://www.osti.gov/accomplishments/fermi.html)

Los Alamos, New Mexico

Mar 15, 1943

Research and the building of the atomic bomb began in Los Alamos New Mexico. Robert Oppenheimer was put in charge of the efforts in Los Alamos. (http://www.ushistory.org/us/51f.asp)
image(http://www.bestplaces.net/city/new_mexico/los_alamos)

First Atomic Bomb Detinated

Jul 16, 1945

AT Trinity Site int New Mexico, scientists of the Manhattan project watched the firt atomic bomb to be detinated. Most of the scientist were shocked that the bomb worked so well, it was not predicted to be as big of an explosion as it was. (http://www.ushistory.org/us/51f.asp)
image(http://online.nmartmuseum.org/nmhistory/growing-new-mexico/science-and-technology/history-science-and-technology.html)

"Little Boy" was dropped on Hiroshima

Aug 6, 1945

The nuclear weapon was dropped on Hiroshima, it was the first atomic bomb to be used as a weapon. About 150,000 people were either killed or wounded as a result of the first bomb. (http://www.aasc.ucla.edu/cab/200708150001.html)
image(http://awesometalks.wordpress.com/2008/08/07/bockscar-the-forgotten-plane-that-dropped-the-atomic-bomb/)

"Fat Man" Detonated over Nagasaki

Aug 9, 1945

The nuclear bomb was detonated over the city of Nagasaki, where about 75,000 people were injured or killed. (http://www.aasc.ucla.edu/cab/200708150001.html)
image(http://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20080921/spectrum/main5.htm)