“The world will note that the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, a military base.”

—  Harry Truman

Report on the Potsdam Conference (1945)
Context: The world will note that the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, a military base. That was because we wished in this first attack to avoid, insofar as possible, the killing of civilians. But that attack is only a warning of things to come. If Japan does not surrender, bombs will have to be dropped on her war industries and, unfortunately, thousands of civilian lives will be lost. I urge Japanese civilians to leave industrial cities immediately, and save themselves from destruction.

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Harry Truman 119
American politician, 33rd president of the United States (i… 1884–1972

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“The atomic bomb played no decisive part, from a purely military standpoint, in the defeat of Japan.”

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Report on the Potsdam Conference (1945)
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