78 years ago on August 6, 1945, America dropped the ‘Little Boy’ on Hiroshima, causing unfathomable destruction
Tokyo : On this day, 78 years ago, August 6, 1945, America unleashed a nuclear bomb on Japan’s Hiroshima. In the blink of an eye, the entire city turned to ashes, and its scars still linger to this day. The bomb dropped on Hiroshima was called ‘Little Boy,’ while Nagasaki faced the devastation of ‘Fat Man.’ This attack claimed the lives of approximately 140,000 people in Hiroshima and nearly 74,000 in Nagasaki.
The Story Behind Hiroshima Day: A Dark Chapter in History
The world remembers the tragic events of Hiroshima and Nagasaki every year on August 6 as Hiroshima Day, a day dedicated to promoting peace. America’s decision to drop nuclear bombs on these two cities is etched as a black chapter in history. The devastating consequences of the bombings have left an indelible mark on humanity.
America’s Unforgettable Pain Inflicted on Japan
When World War II entered its sixth year in September 1939, there seemed to be no end to the conflict. Japan, a formidable force during the war, relentlessly attacked its enemies. To put an end to the war and halt Japan’s aggression, America took the drastic step of launching nuclear attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, inflicting pain that Japan would never forget. The war lasted from 1939 to 1945.
The Target: Kyoto, the Ancient City
Originally, Kyoto was America’s target due to its numerous universities and significant industrial presence. Moreover, Kyoto housed over 2,000 Buddhist temples and various historical landmarks. However, Secretary of War Henry Stimson intervened and convinced President Harry Truman to remove Kyoto from the target list. Eventually, the decision to attack Hiroshima and Nagasaki was made to demonstrate the power of the newly developed atomic bomb.
The Destruction Wrought by ‘Little Boy’
The nuclear bomb that fell on Hiroshima was called ‘Little Boy,’ weighing approximately 4 tons, with about 65 kilograms of uranium inside. The B-29 aircraft named ‘Enola Gay’ dropped this bomb, piloted by Colonel Paul Tibbets. However, due to a navigation error, the bomb detonated 500 meters away from its intended target, the Aioi Bridge, causing immense devastation across the city.
The immediate impact of the explosion was the destruction of everything within a 1.6-kilometer radius, with nearly 70,000 buildings leveled to the ground. The intense heat generated by the blast caused fires to spread rapidly, adding to the destruction. The ensuing shockwave and radiation led to horrifying casualties, leaving thousands of people severely injured and exposed to deadly radiation sickness.
The aftermath of ‘Little Boy’ was so devastating that the term “hibakusha” was coined to refer to the survivors, many of whom faced lifelong health issues and social stigmatization due to radiation exposure.
The Devastation Unleashed by ‘Fat Man’
Three days after the bombing of Hiroshima, America dropped ‘Fat Man’ on the city of Nagasaki. This nuclear bomb weighed approximately 4,500 kilograms and contained 6.5 kilograms of plutonium. The attack resulted in the deaths of around 74,000 people.
Nagasaki’s hilly terrain offered some protection from the explosion, but the bomb still caused widespread destruction. The epicenter of the blast was the Mitsubishi Urakami Arms Plant, and the detonation generated temperatures of over a million degrees Celsius. The bomb’s impact was far-reaching, destroying structures within a 2.5-kilometer radius.
The tragic consequences of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings prompted a reevaluation of the use of nuclear weapons and led to the establishment of the United Nations and efforts to prevent future nuclear warfare.
Hiroshima Day’ serves as a somber reminder of the horrors of war and the catastrophic impact of nuclear weapons. It stands as a call for nations to pursue peace and harmony rather than resorting to violence and destruction. Let us remember the past to shape a better, peaceful future for generations to come.
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