Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings mark 80th anniversary
Why in the news
On 9 August 2025, as Nagasaki remembered its bombing, the world was in the middle of marking eighty years since the first use of atomic weapons in war. Hiroshima held its own remembrance on 6 August.
Key facts
- Hiroshima: bombed on 6 August 1945 with the weapon named ‘Little Boy’.
- Nagasaki: bombed on 9 August 1945 with the weapon named ‘Fat Man’.
- Both attacks were carried out by the United States.
- Japan surrendered soon afterwards, which brought World War II in the Pacific to a close.
| City | Date | Bomb |
|---|---|---|
| Hiroshima | 6 August 1945 | Little Boy |
| Nagasaki | 9 August 1945 | Fat Man |
About the legacy
The bombings caused huge immediate loss of life and destruction, and left long-term radiation effects. They introduced humanity to the nuclear age and set off a prolonged nuclear arms competition during the Cold War. 6 August is observed every year as Hiroshima Day, a moment to reflect on the destructive power of nuclear weapons.
Exam angle
- Match the code names Little Boy and Fat Man with the correct city and date.
- 6 August is Hiroshima Day; 9 August is the Nagasaki anniversary.
- Link the bombings to the end of World War II and the Cold War arms race.