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Heavy Hydrogen
Heavy Hydrogen or deuterium is discovered by Harold C. Urey. -
Atom Splitting
The atom is split by John Crockcroft and E.T.S. Walton of Great Britain thereby proving Einstein's Theory of Relativity. -
Fission
Robert Oppenheimer realizes the military possibilities of nuclear fission. -
It Begins
World War II Begins. -
Go Ahead
FDR gives the go-ahead for the development of an atomic weapon. -
In Charge
Colonel Leslie Groves is placed in charge of the Manhattan Project. J. Robert Oppenheimer becomes the Project's Scientific Director. -
Primary Target
Japan becomes the primary target for any future atomic bomb according to the Military Policy Committee of the Manhattan Project. -
New President
Franklin Roosevelt dies. Harry Truman is named the 33rd President of the US. -
Testing
The world's first atomic detonation takes place in the 'Trinity Test' at Alamogordo, New Mexico. -
Use It
President Truman orders atomic bombs to be used. -
1st Bomb
Little Boy, a uranium bomb, is detonated over Hiroshima, Japan. It kills between 90,000 and 100,000 people immediately. -
2nd Bomb
Fat Man, a plutonium implosion-type bomb, was dropped on the city of Nagasaki -
Surrender
Japan announces its formal surrender.