Remembering Hiroshima 67 Years Later

The United States became the first country to use a nuclear weapon against another nation when they dropped a uranium bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. In honor of the thousands of people who lost their lives 67 years ago, here are 11 facts about the tragic day. 

1. On August 6th, 1945, the plane the Enola Gay released "Little Boy," a 9,700 pound bomb containing 130 pounds of uranium on Hiroshima.
2. Thirty percent (70,000-80,000) of the population of Hiroshima were killed immediately. Another 70,000 people were injured.
3. The bomb landed in the downtown area, killing and injuring over 90% of the city's doctors and nurses.
4. It is estimated that 69% of the city's buildings were destroyed and an additional 7% were damaged.
5. When the bomb hit, it created a massive mushroom cloud. 
6. After the bomb fell initially, fires spread throughout the city.
7. Shadowy char marks of bodies were burnt onto walls and sidewalks from the intense heat and light. 
8. The city of Hiroshima was a target because there were military facilities there and it had been undamaged by other bombings.
9. The U.S. warned civilians of air raids in other Japanese cities by dropping leaflets, but the citizens of Hiroshima were not warned.
10. The total deaths at the end of 1945 from burns, radiation, and bomb related disease ranged from 90,000-166,000.
11. By 1950, effects of radiation had killed up to 200,000. Hundreds of people have leukemia and other cancers caused by atomic radiation til this day.

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