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Einstein Writes to FDR
americanhistory.about.com
Famous scientist Albert Einstein wrote a letter to the president of the United States which catalyzed this entire project. His letter was subjected on the use of uranium as a new source of energy and also served as a warning that Germany was working on creating an atomic bomb. -
FDR Gives Go-Ahead for Development of Atomic Weapon
After recieving Einstein's letter about the production of an atomic weapon in Germany, President Roosevelt decided to allow the production of an atomic weapon in the United States to be used in the war. -
Launch of Manhattan Project
atomicheritage.org In December of 1941, the Manhattan Project was launched. In charge of the Los Alamos Laboratory, J. Robert Oppenheimer was a leading physicist and essential to the development of the atomic bomb. Oppenheimer's brother, Frank was also involved at Los Alamos in the development of the bomb. -
First Test of Atomic Bomb
Americanhistory.about.com In Alamogordo, New Mexico, the atomic bomb was detonated for the first time ever to test it before using it in war. This detonation was called the 'Trinity Test'. Although tested in New Mexico, the bomb was planned and created at a specially built plant in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. -
Potsdam Declaration Rejected
Princeton.edu This declaration called for the surrender of Japan to the US in 1945 or else the country would face "prompt and utter destruction". When denied, the US merely followed up on their promise of destruction by dropping the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, as warned. -
Atomic Bomb Dropped on Hiroshima
americanhistory.about.com The bomb named Little Boy was dropped in Japan, as warned and immediately killed between 90,000 and 100,000 people. The goal of the Manhattan Project was to ultiamtely force Japan to surrender. This goal was achieved when this bomb, as well as the second bomb dropped on Nagasaki created so much devastation that Japan was forced to surrender. -
Warning Pamphlets Dropped
pbs.org The US dropped warning pamphlets the day after bombing Hiroshima to warn the Japanese peopel that another bomb would be dropped if they did not surrender. It told citizens to evacuate their cities and petition their emperor to surrender. -
Second Bomb Dropped on Nagasaki
ushistory.orgA second bomb was dropped on the Japanese city of Nagasaki after warning pamphlets were issued. This explosion killed about 80,000 Japanese people nearly instantly. This bomb was the final straw before Japan surrendered. -
Truman Adresses Nation
pbs.org
Truman spoke to the United States to clarify that the bombs in Japan were dropped and discusses the issues of atomic power and controlling the production of atomic weapons. -
Japan Announces Formal Surrender
On this day, Japan announced its offical surrender from the war after the atomic bombs were dropped on its cities of Nagasaki and Hiroshima, killing many. This took place on the battleship USS Missouri.
