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US Drops Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima
On August 6, 1945, at approximately 8:15 am, the United States of America attempted to end World War II by dropping the first atomic bomb used as a weapon (nicknamed "Little Boy") on the city of Hiroshima, Japan, killing 80,000 people instantly. -
President Truman Delivers Radio Address
On August 8, 1945, President Harry Truman delivered a radio address in which he announced that the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, and threatened to unleash more nuclear devastation on Japan. -
The Soviet Union Declares War Against Japan
Though originally both members of the Axis Powers (Germany, Italy, Japan, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria) the USSR switched sides during WWII and on August 8, 1945, declared war against Japan. -
US Drops Atomic Bomb on Nagasaki
Three days after the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, the United States of America dropped a second atomic bomb (nicknamed "Fat Man") on the city of Nagasaki, Japan, though the original target was a neighboring city called Kokura, killing 75,000 immediately. -
The United States Signs the United Nations Charter
On August 9, 1945, the United States became the first country to ratify the United Nations Charter with President Harry Truman's signature. -
Japan Offers to Surrender
On August 11, 1945, the Japanese offered to surrender to the Allies, and their offer was rejected by U.S. secretary of state James Byrnes. The announcement was delivered on August 10, and depended heavily on the continued rule of Emperor Hirohito. -
Japan's Emperor Orders the Japanese Government to Surrender
On August 12, 1945, Emperor Hirohito of Japan ordered a divided Japanese government to surrender to the Allies. -
Washington Takes Action
On August 14, 1945, officials in Washington ordered for hostilities in Asia to be suspended and for automobile production on the home front to be resumed. -
Coup Attempt Fails
As a last resort, on August 14, 1945, a group of Japanese army officers tried to take the Imperial Palace and prevent surrender, but their coup attempt failed. -
Japan Surrenders
On August 15, 1945, Emperor Showa of Japan announced his intention to surrender to the Allies unconditionally over public radio, thus ending World War II. -
