We have discovered the most terrible bomb in the history of the world. It may be the fire destruction prophesied in the Euphrates Valley Era, after Noah and his fabulous Ark. ~ Harry S. Truman

Today marks the 65th anniversary of a terrible day for Japan, and the city of Hiroshima. On Monday August 6 1945, by executive order of US President Harry S. Truman, the atomic bomb “Little Boy” was dropped on this city by Enola Gay, a B-29 bomber. Up to 166,000 people died over the course of 4 months.

At 8.15am, it took only 43 seconds for the 60kg uranium bomb to drop down to the predetermined height of 580m above the city. By then, the bomber was 18.5km away. Sixty-nine percent of the city was destroyed, with another 6-7% damaged.

From Wikipedia:

By August 8, 1945, newspapers in the U.S. were reporting that broadcasts from Radio Tokyo had described the destruction observed in Hiroshima. “Practically all living things, human and animal, were literally seared to death,” Japanese radio announcers said in a broadcast received by Allied sources.

Three days later, “Fat Man” would drop down on the city of Nagazaki, and kill another 60-80,000 people. Japan surrendered 6 days later, on August 15.

We were lucky enough to visit Hiroshima when we were in Japan, and to see the Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Atomic Bomb Dome). You can’t helped but be awed by one of the last few relics of the bombing. Of course, Hiroshima has since then rebuild itself and is now a pretty good place to see the sights, enjoy the local okonomiyaki and travel down to Miyajima island.