The atomic bomb was used twice during World War II, both times against the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The bombings resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people and the destruction of large parts of both cities.
Hiroshima
The first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. The bomb exploded over the city center, instantly killing an estimated 70,000 people. Tens of thousands more died in the following weeks and months from the effects of radiation sickness.
Nagasaki
The second atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki on August 9, 1945. The bomb exploded over the industrial area of the city, killing an estimated 35,000 people. Tens of thousands more died in the following weeks and months from the effects of radiation sickness.
The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki led to the surrender of Japan and the end of World War II. They also raised serious questions about the ethics of using nuclear weapons and the potential for nuclear war.