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