WEAF 660AM 12-Hour Broadcast (Aug 10 1945 after Atomic Bombing of Nagasaki)

In an attempt to secure the Japanese surrender in WWII, the US utilized an atomic weapon to bomb Hiroshima on August 6, 1945.  Three days later on August 9, 1945, the US dropped another atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Nagasaki.  On August 10, 1945 it was assumed by the American Media that Japanese surrender was inevitable.  As a result, stations began transcribing their broadcasts in hopes of recording that historic day. 

However, the Japanese did not surrender on August 10, 1945; they surrendered 5 days later on August 15th, 1945.  Station WEAF began transcribing their broadcast under the assumption of the end of the war, but after realizing that was not the case.  This recording is a significant part of American history as it reflects the tension as we teetered at the end of WWII. For additional reading, see also Atomic Radio.

See also:

• Complete Broadcast, 1939 (Day Germany invades Poland)
• Complete Broadcast, 1941 (Attack on Pearl Harbor)
• Complete Broadcast, 1944 (D-Day Allies Invade Normandy) CBS
• Complete Broadcast, 1944 (D-Day 1944 Broadcast) NBC Coverage

See also: Enola Gay and the Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima Recordings and VJ Day Recordings