80 years ago, the US dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Haunting photos show what happened that day in 1945.NEWS | 09 October 2025The scene of destruction after the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan, in 1945.
The scene of destruction after the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan, in 1945. Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
The scene of destruction after the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan, in 1945. Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
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lighning bolt icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt. Impact Link
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On August 6, 1945, a 10-foot-long uranium bomb that weighed 9,788 pounds called "Little Boy" was dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima.
The explosion wiped out 5 square miles of the city, including 62,000 buildings. Up to 80,000 people were killed instantly.
The explosion was so powerful people were vaporized leaving nothing behind except for their "nuclear shadow."
The attack on Hiroshima has gone down as one of the deadliest days in Japanese history and ushered in the nuclear age. In the years since, there has been debate around whether the attacks were necessary to end the war.
Eighty years since the bombing, here's a look at why the US government dropped the bomb, how the mission unfolded, and the devastating impact it had on Hiroshima.Author: Enter Your Email. James Pasley. Source
