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Hiroshima & Nagasaki: 6 quick facts about the historical tragedies
In the process, both countries have become allies. Japan may never forget the atomic bombs of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which destroyed thousands of lives and cities and destroyed their natural environment.
More than 70 decades ago, precisely in 1945, the United States dropped nuclear weapons on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6-9. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has called for “a world without nuclear weapons” to mark the 72nd anniversary of the tragic incident. He also promised to work for world peace.
The event took place at the nearby Peace Memorial Park, Hiroshimas Ground Zero. A report said the August 6 event was attended by 50,000 people and representatives from 80 nations and the EU.
As North Korean tension mounts with the Guam threat, today coincidentally marks the atomic bombing of Nagasaki decades ago. A few years ago, survivor Sumiteru Taniguchi shared his horrifying story, saying his skin was hanging “like rags from his arms and back.”
Facts about the Hiroshima and Nagasaki Bombings
These are 6 quick facts about the Hiroshima and Nagasaki Bombings
1. It was the end of World War II
The world war ended a few days after the Hiroshima and Nagasaki attacks. It was also seen as part of the Pacific War that Japan literally started. In late 1941, Japan penetrated Thailand and attacked US military bases in Hawaii, Wake Island, Guam and the Philippines. In connection with its refusal to surrender to the demands of the Potsdam Declaration, the US responded with the atomic bombs. After that, Japan surrendered.
2. Thousands decimated in the blink of an eye
The bombs detonated about 600 meters above the ground. One report says about 70,000 people were killed instantly, while thousands more died from the after-effects of the radiation.
Tokyo, Japan’s capital, was not surprised by the attack until 3 hours later. Together, the 2 bombs claimed a current estimate of 200,000 lives while destroying over 60,000 buildings.
For the Hiroshima attack on August 6, 1945 , the atomic bomb made of uranium was used. Referred to as “little boy,” it weighed 4 tons of energy, equivalent to 12.5 kilotons of TNT. The explosion was detonated 300 meters above Hiroshima, Japan. over 5.4 million degrees Fahrenheit. A fireball formed in 0.1 milliseconds at a temperature of 540,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The top of the atomic cloud reached a height of 17,000 meters. Radioactive debris was deposited by “black rain” that fell violently over a wide area for over an hour.
A bronze Buddha statue near the site was melted by the heat of the bomb. While bronze melts at about 1700 degrees Celsius, the temperature on the ground under the detonating bomb reached about 7000 degrees.
Three days later, another atomic bomb was unleashed August 9, 1945 on Nagasaki. This was considered more powerful than Little Boy, the so-called “Fat Man”. It weighed 5 tons of energy, equivalent to 20 kilotons of TNT.
Four months after the attacks, 90,000-146,000 people in Hiroshima and 39,000-80,000 in Nagasaki died from the dangerous chemical effects. As a result, cases of mental retardation, cancer, keloids, genetic mutations, health complications and all forms of disabilities increased.
3. The fatal incident was the only time a nuclear weapon was used for warfare in history
The bombings effectively forced Japan to surrender. After the war, the US occupied Japan and helped rebuild it.
4. Only one man survived both attacks
While there were survivors of the separate attacks, only one man is said to have survived both bombing raids. Tsutomu Yamaguchi narrowly escaped the Hiroshima blast, only two miles from each blast. In search of refuge, he fled to Nagasaki, where he witnessed the next attack. Yamaguchi died of stomach cancer in 2010 and was considered the happiest man who ever lived.
5. The Flower of Hope
After the mushroom cloud came the red canna flower. The effects of the bombing were so severe that no one in Hiroshima expected crop growth at the time. After a while, the red canna flowers bloomed amidst the destruction. This gave people hope for the future.
6. History can repeat itself
With the war of words and provocative acts, the world fears that the slightest violent move from North Korea or the US could repeat the tragedy of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Since the 73-year attack, the US has reportedly built 4,680 nuclear bombers.
Truman’s testimony before the nuclear strike was as follows:
“It is a harnessing of the fundamental power of the universe. The power from which the sun draws its power has been lost to those who brought war to the Far East. If they do not accept our terms now, they can rain down a rain of decay from the Expect air such as has never been seen on this earth.”
Trump’s Latest Message to North Korea About the Guam Threat:
“North Korea had best stop threatening the United States. You will face fire and fury like the world has never seen. “
