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Article: Truman Didn't Hesitate to Drop Atomic Bomb on Japan Series: remembering world war II Series Number: 1/2
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- July 16, 1995
- Author:
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
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Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Blasted by U.S. atomic bombs 50 years ago,
the Japanese cities today instantly call to mind images of terrible
devastation and the unique horror of history's only nuclear attacks.
In 1945, though, they were merely the first two targets in a
series of atomic bombings approved by President Harry S. Truman and
his advisers in a calculated effort to use the extraordinary new
weapon to drive Tokyo to surrender unconditionally.
On July 24 of that year, Truman enthusiastically approved a
schedule drawn up by military and scientific advisers to drop two
atomic bombs on Japan in August, three per month in September,
October and November, and possibly seven in December.
At the ...