Free Documentaries Online

In the history of modern warfare, one day sticks out above the rest, the bombing of Hiroshima. The BBC takes its viewers on a riveting and saddening dramatization of the this day, the day that shook the world.The United States coordinated two atomic bombings against the cities of Hiroshima and Nagaski in Japan during the last stages of World War II in 1945. The first bomb was dropped on August 6, 1945 and the second on August 9, 1945, but what led to these tragic events? Days That Shook the World will examine the days leading up to these bombings. After teaming up with the United Kingdom and the Republic of China, the United States called for Japan to surrender, but they ignored it. President Harry S. Truman ordered the nuclear bombs be dropped to ensure the Japanese would give in.

The result of these bombs was the deaths of 90,000-166,000 Hiroshima civilians and an estimated 60,000-80,000 in Nagaski. Approximately half of these deaths occurred on the first day from falling debris, flash or flame burns and other causes. Over the following months large numbers of civilians would succumb to the effects from burns, radiation sickness and other injuries.

Japan announced its surrender to the Allied Powers on August 15, 1945, six days after the nuclear bombings. Go inside the days leading to, inclusive of and following the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagaski.