The Big Decision That Ended a World War

World War II was a long and difficult war for many people.

By 1945, American leaders wanted the fighting to stop quickly.

The United States had a new and very powerful weapon.

They made the first atomic bomb in a secret government project.

President Harry Truman had to decide if he should use this bomb.

The US army wanted Japan to stop fighting without more battles.

Leaders thought a land invasion would hurt too many soldiers.

They believed the bomb would make the war end faster.

On August 6, 1945, a plane flew over the city of Hiroshima.

The American plane dropped the atomic bomb on the city.

The explosion was very large and it destroyed many buildings.

Sadly, many people in the city lost their lives that day.

Another bomb was dropped on Nagasaki just a few days later.

Japan stopped fighting soon after these two bombs fell.

People around the world still remember this day and want peace.