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Albert Einstein Writes letter to the President Warning about Nuclear bombs
Einsteins Letter After escaping Nazi Germany and relocating in America, Albert Einstein decided he needed to alert the President of the potential power of a nuclear weapon. He also informed the President that the Nazi regime were closing in on this powerful, game-changing weapon. -
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The Creation and Use of the Atomic Bomb
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The Manhattan Project Starts
On this date, FDR officially gave the OK to start developing this weapon of mass destruction. A group of highly intelligent scientists (including Einstein) started working on creating the atomic bomb at several scattered locations such as Los Alamos, New Mexico. -
Los Alamos is Chosen as Lab Location
On this date, General Groves officially approved a lab site for the development of the atomic bomb. Los Alamos, New Mexico was the chosen site and Robert Oppenheimer was chosen as the director of the lab. This site would prove vital for the creation of the bomb, as the two bombs used during WW2 were created at Los Alamos. -
The Battle of Iwo Jima
On this date, the Battle of Iwo Jima concluded. The battle showed the President and the American people that a full invasion of Japan would cost many lives. The battle is characterised by the unrelenting Japanese soldiers who would rather fight to the death rather than surrender. In this one battle, there were 26,000 U.S casualties. -
FDR Dies
On this date, President Roosevelt unexpectantly died of a massive cerebral hemmorage. He was in Warm Springs, Georgia getting a portrait painted of himself when he complained of a massive pain in the back of his head. Despite efforts to save him, FDR was pronounced dead at 3:30 P.M. leaving Vice President Truman in charge of the country. -
Battle of Okinawa
This Battle was considered the last hurdle before a final decision would be made on invading Japan. Codenamed Operation Iceberg, this battle occured on the Ryukyu islands and once again showed how many lives would be lost in order to take over Japanese territories. It is estimated that there were around 82,000 casualties on the alllied side and even more casualties for the Japanese. Both this battle and the Battle of Iwo Jima would affect Truman's decision to use the bomb. bomb. -
The First Successful Test of an Atomic Bomb
Known as the Trinity test, the United States of America successfuly set off an atomic bomb on this date. The test site was conducted in the Jornada del Muerto, a dessert located about 35 miles south east of Socorro, New Mexico. The bomb was created in the Los Alamos facility, which was lead by Director J. Robert Oppenheimer. -
The Potsdam Declaration
Potsdam Declaration link On this date, President Truman along with Winston Churchill issued the Potsdam Declaration. This demanded the empire of Japan to unconditionally surrender or face "prompt and utter destruction". -
The Bombing of Hiroshima
On this date, the airplane Enola Gay, flown by Paul Tibbets dropped the first atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima after the Japanese refused to surrender. It is estimated that around 100,000 Japanese civilians died in the explosion -
Bombing of Nagasaki
After the Ja[anese still refused to surrender, a second bomb, called the Fatman, was dropped on the city of Nagasaki. It is estimated that about 200,000 civilians died in this bombing, and the entire city was destroyed.The bomb was dropped by Major Charles Sweeny who piloted the aircraft bockstar.
