* Hidden from Congress, American people, & VP Truman
* Truman ordered dropping of bombs on Hiroshima (Aug 6) & Nagasaki (Aug 9)
* Invasion could win surrender but would cause mass casualties for Allies
* Truman considered other options but military advisors rejected idea of demonstrating bombs power, perhaps on remote Pacific island
* 70,000 to 135,000 people died in Hiroshima and 60,000 to 80,000 people died in Nagasaki, both from exposure to the blasts and from long-term side effects of radiation.