Video: 'The World at War: The Bomb: February-September 1945 (24 of 26)' (Aug. 14, 1945, at 48:38)
(Tuesday, August 14, 1945; during World War II) — Japanese Emperor Hirohito met with his most senior Army and Navy officers again today and told them they must accept the Allied ultimatum to surrender. Continue reading Japanese emperor orders military to accept Allied ultimatum 80 years ago today (Aug 14 1945)
Video: 'The World at War: The Bomb: February-September 1945 (24 of 26)' (Aug. 13, 1945, at 47:51)
(Monday, August 13, 1945; during World War II) — At the suggestion of American psychological operations experts, American B-29s spent today dropping leaflets over Japan, describing the Japanese offer of surrender and the Allied response, raising concerns of of the possibility of a military coup.
Video: 'The World at War: The Bomb: February-September 1945 (24 of 26)' (Aug. 12, 1945, at 47:15)
(Sunday, August 12, 1945; during World War II) — The United States indicated today that it would accept the Japanese surrender, making clear in its statement that the emperor could remain in a purely ceremonial capacity only. Continue reading U.S. responds to Japanese surrender proposal 80 years ago today (Aug 12 1945)
Video: 'American Experience - Truman (1997) - Part 3' (Aug. 10, 1945, at 43:03/44:26)
(Friday, August 10, 1945; during World War II) — Having dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima (Aug. 6, 1945) and Nagasaki (Aug. 9, 1945) and with Japan conveying it’s willingness to surrender (provided the status of Emperor Hirohito remained unchanged), U.S. President Harry S. Truman took the authority to use the atomic bomb back from the military today and placed it once again in his own hands. Continue reading Truman halts use of atomic bomb after Japan conveys willingness to surrender 80 years ago today (Aug 10 1945)
Video: 'The World at War: The Bomb: February-September 1945 (24 of 26)' (Aug. 9, 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: The Bomb: February-September 1945 (24 of 26)' (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 80 years ago this hour (Aug 9 1945)
(Wednesday, August 8, 1945, 12:30 p.m. EWT; during World War II) — U.S. President Harry S. Truman today signed the United Nations Charter, the foundational treaty of the intergovernmental organization known as the United Nations.
Video: 'American Experience - Truman (1997) - Part 3' (Aug. 8, 1945, at 41:11)
(Wednesday, August 8, 1945, 10:45 a.m. EWT; during World War II) — Secretary of War Henry Stimson showed President Harry S. Truman aerial photographs of Hiroshima following Monday’s atomic bombing. Continue reading Truman shown aerial photographs of Hiroshima bombing aftermath 80 years ago this hour (Aug 8 1945)
Video: 'The World at War: The Bomb: February-September 1945 (24 of 26)' (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 80 years ago this hour (Aug 9 1945)
Video: 'The World at War: The Bomb: February-September 1945 (24 of 26)' (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.
