The U.S. dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945 to force Japan’s surrender. Hiroshima was bombed on August 6, and Nagasaki followed on August 9. The bombings killed over 200,000 people, many of them civilians, and left long-term radiation effects.
Japan surrendered unconditionally on August 15, ending World War II. The bombings remain controversial—seen by some as necessary to end the war swiftly, while others view them as tragic overkill. They ushered in the nuclear age and Cold War tensions.