Committee decides to drop atomic bomb on ‘war plant surrounded by workers’ homes’ 70 years ago this hour (June 1 1945)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'Peter Jennings - Hiroshima: Why the Bomb was Dropped (1995)' (June 1, 1945, at 41:04)

(Friday, June 1, 1945, 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m./1:45 p.m.-3:30 p.m. EWT; during World War II) — The Interim Committee met again secretly today at the Pentagon, formally deciding that the atomic bomb “should be used against Japan as soon as possible; that it be used on a war plant surrounded by workers’ homes; and that it be used without prior warning.”

Member James F. Byrnes then went to the White House and briefed President Harry S. Truman of the decision (click here for a clip of “American Experience: Truman” from this day (at 1:47:08).