Video: 'The World At War 1973(World War II Documentary)Episode 24-The Bomb(February–September 1945)' (Aug. 10, 1945, at 46:04)

(Friday, August 10, 1945; 2:00 a.m. JST, during World War II) — Presiding over a special meeting of the War Council, Japanese Emperor Hirohito decided this morning that “continuing the war can only mean destruction for the nation and prolongation of bloodshed and cruelty in the world. I cannot bear to see my innocent people suffer any longer,” and that Japan should surrender.

Video: 'The World At War 1973(World War II Documentary)Episode 24-The Bomb(February–September 1945)' (Aug. 9, 1945, at 45:38)

(Thursday, August 9, 1945, 11:02 a.m. JST; during World War II) — Three days after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japan, a specially adapted American B-29 bomber called Bockscar under the command of Maj. Charles W. Sweeney, exploded a nuclear device today over Nagasaki, Japan, killing an estimated 74,000 people. Continue reading 74,000 killed as U.S. drops second atomic bomb on Japan at Nagasaki 70 years ago this hour (Aug 9 1945) →

Video: 'The World At War 1973(World War II Documentary)Episode 24-The Bomb(February–September 1945)' (Aug. 9, 1945, at 45:16)

(Thursday, August 9, 1945, 12:01 a.m. Trans-Baikal time; during the Soviet–Japanese War (1945) of World War II) — Having declared war on Japan an hour ago (in conjunction with the Allies), the Soviet Union today commenced their invasion simultaneously on three fronts to the east, west and north of Manchuria (the Soviets would also occupy northern Korea). Continue reading Soviet Union invades Manchuria after declaring war on Japan 70 years ago this hour (Aug 9 1945) →

Video: 'The World At War 1973(World War II Documentary)Episode 24-The Bomb(February–September 1945)' (Aug. 8, 1945, at 45:05)

(Wednesday, August 8, 1945, 11:00 p.m. Trans-Baikal time; during World War II) — Soviet foreign minister Vyacheslav Molotov tonight informed Japanese ambassador Naotake Sato that the Soviet Union had declared war on the Empire of Japan, and that from August 9, 1945, the Soviet government would consider itself to be at war with Japan.

Video: 'The World At War 1973(World War II Documentary)Episode 24-The Bomb(February–September 1945)' (Aug. 6, 1945, at 36:34)

(Monday, August 6, 1945, 8:15 a.m. JST; during World War II) — An American B-29 bomber, the Enola Gay, dropped “Little Boy,” the world’s first atom bomb (used in warfare), this morning over the city of Hiroshima, Japan, resulting in an estimated 140,000 deaths. (click here for a clip of this event from “American Experience: Truman” at 2:11:22). Continue reading Enola Gay drops first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, 140,000 killed 70 years ago this hour (Aug 6 1945) →

Video: 'The World At War 1973(World War II Documentary)Episode 24-The Bomb(February–September 1945)' (Aug. 6, 1945, at 34:42)

(Monday, August 6, 1945, 2:45 a.m. JST; during World War II) — An American B-29, with Lt. Col. Paul W. Tibbets in command and named the Enola Gay after his mother, left Tinian Island in the Marianas with “Little Boy,” the nickname for one of two atom bombs available for use against Japan, on board, bound for Hiroshima (click here for a clip of this event from “American Experience: Truman” at 2:10:36). Continue reading Enola Gay departs Tinian Island to drop first atomic bomb 70 years ago this hour (Aug 6 1945) →

Video: 'Peter Jennings - Hiroshima: Why the Bomb was Dropped (1995)' (Aug. 4, 1945, at 55:34)

(Saturday, August 4, 1945, 3:00 p.m. JST; during World War II) — On Tinian Island, the crews chosen to fly the Enola Gay mission were briefed today, but no one mentioned the words “atomic bomb.”