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Dr. Leo Szilard filed a patent for the world's first chain reaction
Szilard first realizes the concept of the nuclear chain reaction. Famous quote ~
"We turned the switch, saw the flashes, watched for ten minutes, then switched everything off and went home. That night I knew the world was headed for sorrow" http://inventors.about.com/od/sstartinventors/p/Leo_Szilard.htm -
WWII Begins
World War II begins when Germany invades Poland in a blitzkrieg. It was a conflict built from festering resentments after World War I. WWII would last for six years. -
President FDR receives the Einstein–Szilárd letter
The letter warned of the danger that Germany might develop atomic bombs and suggested that the United States should initiate its own nuclear program. FDR then authorizes the creation of the Advisory Committee on Uranium. -
The Uranium Committee has its first meeting.
Six thousand dollars was budgeted for conducting neutron experiments. -
The MAUD Committe is formed.
MAUD Committee reported on the use of uranium for a bomb. This report jump started the United States effort to develop an atomic bomb. http://www.atomicarchive.com/Docs/Begin/MAUD.shtml -
Permission granted to explore construction needs with the Army
President Roosevelt receives MAUD report on the design and costs to develop a nuclear weapon. Roosevelt approves project to confirm MAUD's finding. -
Period: to
The Manhattan Project
The Manhattan Project was a research and development project that produced the first atomic bombs during World War II. It was led by the United States with the support of the United Kingdom and Canada. http://www.ushistory.org/us/51f.asp -
Germany Surrenders
Germany signed an unconditional surrender at Allied headquarters in Reims, France, to take effect the following day, ending the European conflict of World War II. -
For the first time ever, a nuclear device is detonated
The first nuclear explosion occurred as an implosion-type bomb at the Trinity test, conducted at New Mexico's Alamogordo Bombing and Gunnery Range. -
Codename "Little Boy"
A gun-type uranium-235 weapon is dropped on Hiroshima, Japan. -
Codename "Fat Man"
An implosion-type plutonium-239 weapon is dropped on Nagasaki, Japan. -
WWII Ends
Japan surrenders, offically putting an end to WWII. Japanese officials sign the surrender document on the U.S.S. Missouri in Tokyo Harbor. http://www.historynet.com/world-war-ii
