Panic Grass and Feverfew by Divergent Artists

The United States detonated two nuclear weapons over the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6 and 9, 1945, respectively. The two bombings killed between 129,000 and 226,000 people, most of whom were civilians, and remain the only use of nuclear weapons in armed conflict.

In the final year of World War II, the Allies prepared for a costly invasion of the Japanese mainland. This undertaking was preceded by a conventional and firebombing campaign that devastated 67 Japanese cities. By July 1945, the Allies' Manhattan Project had produced two types of atomic bombs: "Fat Man", a plutonium implosion-type nuclear weapon; and "Little Boy", an enriched uranium gun-type fission weapon. The Allies called for the unconditional surrender of the Imperial Japanese armed forces in the Potsdam Declaration on July 26, 1945, the alternative being "prompt and utter destruction". Japan ignored the ultimatum and the war continued.

The consent of the United Kingdom was obtained for the bombing, as was required by the Quebec Agreement, and orders were issued for atomic bombs to be used against Hiroshima, Kokura, Niigata and Nagasaki. On August 6, the B-29 "Enola Gay" dropped a "Little Boy" on Hiroshima. Three days later the B-29 "Bockscar" dropped a "Fat Man" on Nagasaki.

America expected to have another "Fat Man" atomic bomb ready for use on August 19, with plans for three more to be dropped in September and a further three in October, in the event that Japan did not agree to unconditional surrender.

Many argue that the use of the atomic bombs constitutes a war crime. A war crime is an act that constitutes a serious violation of the laws of war that gives rise to individual criminal responsibility. Examples of war crimes include intentionally killing civilians, destroying civilian property, and seriously violating the principles of distinction, proportionality, and military necessity.

A tribute to the victims of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The survivors of the bombings are called 被爆者 [hibakusha], a Japanese word that literally translates to "explosion-affected people".

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