In a surprisingly low-key and carefully worded statement, President
Harry S. Truman (above) informed the American people that the
Soviets exploded a nuclear bomb. The Soviet accomplishment,
years ahead of what was thought possible by most U.S. officials,
caused a panic in the American government. 

The United States developed the atomic bomb during the latter
stages of World War II and dropped two bombs on Japan in August
1945.

The United States became the first and only nation to use atomic weaponry during wartime when it dropped an atomic bomb on
the Japanese city of Hiroshima. Approximately 80,000 people
were killed as a direct result of the blast, and another 35,000
were injured. At least another 60,000 would be dead by the end
of the year from the effects of the fallout.

The United States became the first and only nation to use atomic weaponry during wartime when it dropped an atomic bomb on
the Japanese city of Hiroshima. Approximately 80,000 people
were killed as a direct result of the blast, and another 35,000
were injured. At least another 60,000 would be dead by the end
of the year from the effects of the fallout.

TIM MAGUIRE

Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev speaking at the UN Assembly in 1960.