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Truman had to make a difficult decision. He knew the atomic bomb would cause widespread death and suffering if it was used on a Japanese city. But he was willing to do anything to avoid the need for American troops to invade Japan.

A "Little Boy" atom bomb. This was the kind of bomb used over Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945.

In Japan, a new prime minister and government were searching for a way to end the war. But Truman believed that the Japanese were still not ready to surrender. And he felt it was his duty to end the war as soon as possible.

On August sixth, nineteen forty-five, the first atomic bomb fell on the city of Hiroshima. Three days later, a second A-bomb fell on the city of Nagasaki.

PRESIDENT TRUMAN: "Having found the atomic bomb, we have used it. We shall continue to use it until we completely destroy Japan’s power to make war. Only a Japanese surrender will stop us."

STEVE EMBER: President Truman

PRESIDENT TRUMAN: "It is an awful responsibility which has">has come to us. We thank God that it

has

come to us, instead of to our enemy. And we pray that he may guide us to use it in his ways and for his purposes."

STEVE EMBER: The Radiation Effects Research Foundation in Japan estimates that between one hundred fifty thousand and two hundred forty-six thousand people died within two to four months of the bombings.

The bombings left Japan's rulers with no choice. In less than one week, they surrendered.