Anniversary of Nagasaki Atomic Bombing

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, August 9, 2026

On August 9, 1945, the United States dropped a plutonium atomic bomb on Nagasaki after poor visibility forced a change from the original target, Kokura. This attack, causing tens of thousands of immediate and subsequent deaths, was pivotal in Japan’s decision to surrender, ending World War II.

On August 9, 1945, the United States deployed an atomic bomb over the Japanese city of Nagasaki, marking the second and final use of nuclear weapons in warfare. The bomb, code-named "Fat Man," was a plutonium device significantly more powerful than the uranium-based bomb dropped on Hiroshima three days earlier.

The primary target for this operation was the industrial city of Kokura. However, dense cloud cover and smoke from previous firebombing raids obscured visibility, prompting the crew of the B-29 bomber Bockscar to redirect to their secondary target, Nagasaki—a crucial port city with extensive wartime manufacturing facilities, notably the Mitsubishi Steel and Arms Works.

At 11:02 a.m., the bomb detonated approximately 1,650 feet above the Urakami Valley. The explosion produced an intense flash of light, extreme thermal radiation reaching thousands of degrees Celsius, and a supersonic shockwave that leveled buildings within roughly a one-mile radius of the blast’s hypocenter. Immediate casualties were estimated at up to 40,000 people, predominantly civilians. By the end of 1945, the death toll was believed to have risen to around 74,000, as many victims died subsequently from severe burns, injuries caused by the blast, and radiation sickness.

Nagasaki’s hilly and valley-ridden topography partially contained the bomb’s destructive force. While some residential areas were shielded from total devastation, the industrial Urakami district experienced intense damage. Among the casualties were thousands of conscripted Korean laborers subjected to harsh conditions in the local factories.

The bombing also destroyed much of Nagasaki's medical infrastructure, resulting in the immediate loss of healthcare workers and significantly hampering efforts to care for the injured. Survivors, known as hibakusha, have since faced long-term health complications, including increased cancer risks, as well as social stigmatization.

The attack on Nagasaki, following the Hiroshima bombing, played a decisive role in bringing the Second World War to a close. Emperor Hirohito announced Japan’s unconditional surrender on August 15, 1945, effectively ending hostilities in the Pacific theater.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.