The Manhattan Project was the code name for the top secret effort to build the first atomic bomb. Even though many scientists left Europe when Hitler came to power, a few remained to work on the development of an atomic bomb. The U.S. feared the results if Germany developed the bomb first.
The first explosion of an atomic bomb at the Trinity (New Mexico) test site was a tremendous success. It far exceeded its creators expectations.
Sixty eight Manhattan Project scientists sent a letter to President Truman, 22 days before the first bomb was dropped, urging him not to order it.
August 6th, 1945 - the first bomb (named Little Boy) on Hiroshima. Three days later, the second (named Fat Man) was dropped on Nagasaki. For a detailed description of each bomb, click on the name link.
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