Truman, Harry S., as thirty-third President

Mimeographed document signed ("Harry Truman"), 3 1/2 pages (12 3/8 x 8 in.; 315 x 204 mm), Washington, D.C., [6 August 1945]; formerly folded, browned, staple puncture in upper left corner of each sheet, a few tiny edge tears. With a typed cover letter signed "S. Tucker" on National Press Club letterhead, presenting the document. Blue cloth clamshell box.

formerly folded, browned, staple puncture in upper left corner of each sheet, a few tiny edge tears.
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The first public announcement of the atomic bomb, the most important public statement Truman ever made.

Truman was first briefed on the Manhattan Project by Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson on 12 April 1945, the day that Roosevelt died. In August 1945, after Japan turned down the Potsdam Declaration, Truman authorized use of atomic weapons against Japan. The first bomb was dropped on Hiroshima on the morning of 6 August, and it is no exaggeration to describe that act as shifting the course of international relations for the foreseeable future. Truman's statement was presented later that day:

"Sixteen hours ago an American airplane dropped one bomb on Hiroshima ... That bomb had more power than 20,000 tons of T.N.T. ... The Japanese began the war from the air at Pearl Harbor. They have been repaid many fold. ... Before 1939, it was the accepted belief of scientists that it was theoretically possible to release atomic energy. But no one knew any practical method of doing it. By 1942, however, we knew that the Germans were working feverishly to find a way to add atomic energy to the other engines or war with which they hoped to enslave the world. ... The battle of the laboratories held fateful risks for us as well as the battles of the air, land and sea, and we have now won the battle of the laboratories as we have won the other battles."

He goes on to emphasize the teamwork of American and British scientists, and America's "... tremendous industrial and financial resources necessary for the project ... But the greatest marvel is not the size of the enterprise, its secrecy, nor its cost, but the achievement of scientific brains in putting together infinitely complex pieces of knowledge held by many men in different fields of science into a workable plan ... It was to spare the Japanese people from utter destruction that the ultimatum of July 26 was issued at Potsdam. Their leaders promptly rejected that ultimatum. If they do not now accept our terms they may expect a rain of ruin from the air, the like of which has never been seen on this earth ... The Secretary of War ... will immediately make public a statement giving further details ... It has never been the habit of the scientists of this country or the policy of this Government to withhold from the world scientific knowledge ... But under present circumstances it is not intended to divulge the technical processes of production ... pending further examination of possible methods of protecting us and the rest of the world from the danger of sudden destruction. I shall recommend that the Congress of the United States consider promptly the establishment of an appropriate commission to control the production and use of atomic power within the United States. I shall give further consideration and make further recommendations to the Congress as to how atomic power can become a powerful and forceful influence towards the maintenance of world peace."

A statement of dreadful import, signed by the President.