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First Atomic Bomb Attack on Hiroshima and Japanese Surrender

Nagasaki bomb, this image is a work of the U.S. Federal government, and is in the public domain

Click here to see a selection of downloadable curriculum resources from CurrClick related to a study of World War 2.

Underwater Atomic Bomb Test at Bikini Atoll

Each of these broadcasts lasts from a few seconds to a few minutes, but taken together they give a good picture of the events which ended World War 2 and brought about the surrender of Japan.

The Enola Gay, with her crews, dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima

Atomic Bomb Destroys Hiroshima

BBC Report on Hiroshima Bombing

Atom bomb "Little Boy" was dropped on Hiroshima

CBS’ Edward Morrow reports Russia Declares War on Japan

President Truman threatens Japan with further atomic attacks

The Enola Gay is the plane which bombed Hiroshima.

August 12, 1945 CBS World News Today

False Initial Report of Japanese Surrender

Secretary Forrestal on Japanese Surrender

President Truman announces Japan's surrender

CBS Reports Truman accepts Japanese Surrender

CBS Robert Trout reports end of the war

Hiro Hito announces Japanese Surrender (in Japanese)

Hiroshima V-J Day in Times Square Crowd of people, many waving, in Times Square on V-J Day at time of announcement of the Japanese surrender, August 14, 1945

VJ Day report from White House

King George VI addresses the Empire

President Truman on Victory

General MacArthur on Victory Over Japan

Hiroshima Signing Japanese surrender on board USS Missouri September 2, 1945

Japanese Surrender Ceremony Onboard USS Missouri
This broadcast is longer than the others (perhaps about 45 minutes long), but may be of interest to older students.

Surrender of Japan USS Missouri


NBC Japanese Surrender recap

Truman’s Victory over Japan speech