This Week in American History: August 9 through August 15
The period between August 9 and August 15 in American history featured the development of the atomic bomb with the institution of the “Manhattan Project” in 1942, the second dropping of the atomic bomb in 1945 - this time in Nagasaki, Japan and the subsequent unconditional surrender of Imperial Japan to the Allied Forces.
August 9, 1945: Days after the bombing of Hiroshima, Imperial Japan refused to surrender. The U.S. dropped another atomic bomb via B-29 bomber on Nagasaki, killing tens of thousands. The very next day (August 10), Imperial Japan accepted the terms of surrender. The official surrender date was September 2, 1945. Read more on the bombing of Nagasaki here: https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/museums/nmusn/explore/photography/wwii/wwii-pacific/bombardment-japan/bombs-atomic/fat-man-nagasaki.html
August 10, 1776: Following a report in the “London Gazette,” word finally reached London that “the Continental Congress have declared the United Colonies free and Independent States.” Learn more here: https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/august-10/london-learns-of-american-independence
August 10, 1846: By an Act of Congress and signed by President James K. Polk, the Smithsonian Institution was established for the “increase and diffusion of knowledge.” It was originally established with funds from a British Scientist named James Smithsonian. Read the full history of the Smithsonian Institution here: https://www.si.edu/about/history
August 11, 1934: The first federal prisoners arrive at the newly established Alcatraz Prison - an island close by to San Francisco. It was previously an Army base. Famous prisoners included Al Capone and “Machine Gun” Kelly. Alcatraz closed its doors in 1963. Alcatraz is now part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and you can tour the prison today. You can also learn more about the famous Alcatraz prison here: https://www.bop.gov/about/history/alcatraz.jsphttps://www.bop.gov/about/history/alcatraz.jsp
August 12, 1776: General George Washington writes to General Charles Lee informing him of the desertions and smallpox outbreak within the Continental Army. While all this was going on, the British were surrounding and closing in on New York. Learn more about General Charles Lee here: https://www.nps.gov/people/charles-lee.htm
August 12, 1898: An armistice is signed between the United States and Spain to end the Spanish-American War. The war officially ended later that year at the Treaty of Paris. As a result of the armistice, Spain ceded Cuba; Manilla, Philippines and Puerto Rico to the United States. You can learn more about the armistice here: https://www.politico.com/story/2018/08/12/spanish-american-war-ends-aug-12-1898-766208
August 13, 1942: The Manhattan Project commences with the goal of developing an atomic bomb before Nazi Germany could. Their goal was realized almost three years later to the day. The Manhattan Project was initially led by General Leslie Groves and the physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer. They operated in secret places like Los Alamos, New Mexico; Oak Ridge, Tennessee; and Hanford, Washington. Learn more about the Manhattan Project here: https://www.energy.gov/lm/manhattan-project-background-information-and-preservation-work
August 14, 1945: Days after the second atomic bomb dropping on Japan - this time in Nagasaki - Imperial Japan accepted the unconditional surrender to allied forces. While this actually occurred on August 15 in Japan, news hit the United States about the surrender while it was still August 14 in the Western Hemisphere. August 14 is known as V-J Day or Victory in Japan Day. This unconditional surrender effectively ended World War II. The war officially ended on September 2 when Japan signed the Instrument of Surrender on the U.S.S. Missouri in Tokyo Bay. Months prior to this, Nazi Germany had surrendered, which ended hostilities in Europe. You can learn more about V-J Day here: https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/v-j-day
August 15, 1776: British ships arrive on Staten Island, NY with about 9,000 German troops (Hessians). This is part of the leadup to the British attack on New York during the Revolutionary War. Learn more about the Hessians here: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-hessians-were-supposed-to-quickly-end-the-american-revolution-instead-they-endured-years-of-battles-and-suffered-thousands-of-casualties-180989252/
August 15, 1939: The featured film, “The Wizard of Oz,” starring Judy Garland made its world premier at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California. Learn more about one of the most famous movies in U.S. history here: https://www.history.com/articles/wizard-of-oz-movie-surprising-facts
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