Aug 6, 2025 - Politics & Policy

In photos: The atomic bombing of Hiroshima 80 years ago

Russell Contreras

Black-and-white aerial photo showing a massive mushroom cloud rising from a nuclear explosion over land and clouds in Hiroshima, Japan. — An aerial photograph of Hiroshima, Japan, shortly after the "Little Boy" atomic bomb was dropped on Aug 6, 1945. Photo: Universal History Archive/UIG via Getty Images

Wednesday marks the 80th anniversary of the Atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japan — an event that helped end World War II but also brought the world into the nuclear age and the Cold War.

Japan uses the anniversary to commemorate the lives of the Hibakusha, survivors of the bombing, and asks the world to heed the dangers of nuclear war.

The big picture: Here are some images from this crucial moment in world history.

Black and white photo of seven men in casual military attire standing in front of the nose of the airplane "Enola Gay" with the number 82 visible on it. — The crew of the United States Air Force B-29 bomber that dropped the Atomic Bomb over Hiroshima in 1945. Photo: Prisma Bildagentur/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Black and white photo showing a man sitting beneath a large, cylindrical metal object known as the atomic bomb Little Boy with a conical end, surrounded by mechanical structures and cables inside an industrial or military setting. — The atomic bomb Little Boy that was dropped over Hiroshima. Photo: Prisma Bildagentur/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Black and white photo of a large mushroom cloud rising above the clouds, indicating a massive explosion or nuclear blast. — Atomic explosion in Hiroshima. Photo: Universal Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Black and white aerial photo showing extensive smoke and clouds over a city, indicating heavy bombing or fire damage during a wartime event. — Hiroshima after atomic bomb strike in 1945. Photo: Prisma Bildagentur/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Black and white photo showing destroyed vehicles and ruins scattered across a vast area with damaged trees and mountains in the background. — Atomic bomb damage at Hiroshima with a burned-out fire engine amidst the rubble. Photo: Keystone/Getty Images

Black and white photo of emaciated men lying on beds in a wooden room, showing severe malnutrition or illness, with light coming from a window on the right side after the explosion of the atomic bomb at Hiroshima 1945. — Survivors of the explosion of the atomic bomb at Hiroshima, suffering the effects of radiation. Photo: Universal History Archive/Getty Images

Black and white image of a young child crying while crouching on a rough ground strewn with broken bricks and debris in Hiroshima, wearing a patterned outfit and sandals. — A Japanese child sits crying in the rubble of Hiroshima. Photo: Bettmann/Contributor via Getty images

Black and white photo of two Asian individuals sitting closely; one wears glasses and a head wrap while the other has facial scars and is holding fabric, against a wooden wall background. — Victims of the atomic bomb attack sit in a makeshift hospital in a damaged bank building in the centre of Hiroshima. Photo: Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Front page of the Santa Fe New Mexican newspaper from August 6, 1945, with the headline announcing atomic bombs dropped on Japan and details about wartime developments and official statements. — The Santa Fe New Mexican newspaper's front page features news about Harry S. Truman's bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6 and 9, 1945. Photo: Corbis via Getty Images

Black and white photo showing a joyful crowd of diverse military personnel and civilians, with two men in uniform smiling at the center, surrounded by raised hands and happy faces. — A white American sailor and a Black American soldier hug while being lifted onto the shoulders of a diverse crowd on V-Day, following the victory over Japan during World War II, Newark, New Jersey, August 18, 1945. Photo: Afro American Newspapers/Gado/Getty Images

Children crouch at a river's edge releasing decorated paper lanterns on water during a solemn event, with a crowd and a historic dome-shaped ruin building visible under a cloudy sky. — A young girl prays after placing a candlelit paper lantern on the river during 80th anniversary activities, commemorating the atomic bombing of Hiroshima at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park on Aug. 6, 2025, in Hiroshima. Photo: Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty Images

Person holding a sign reading "PEACE 80th anniversary" near the river with the atomic bomb dome in Hiroshima and a crowd gathered at dusk under a cloudy sky. — A man holds a "Peace" handwritten paper lantern while walking down to the river for floating on the river during the 80th anniversary activities, commemorating the atomic bombing of Hiroshima at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park on Aug. 6, 2025, in Hiroshima. Photo: Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty Images

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In photos: The atomic bombing of Hiroshima 80 years ago

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