On This Day: The Manhattan Project and the Atomic Bomb

During WWII, there was growing concern that German scientists had discovered how to split a uranium atom. This could potentially lead to the creation of a bomb that could cause mass destruction. It was during this time that the Manhattan Project was developed, and secret nuclear facilities were set up in various locations around the country. On August 6, 1945, the U.S. used these atomic weapons on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. Three days later, another bomb was dropped on Nagasaki. Use the video clips below to learn more about the first atomic bombs to be created and used during WWII.