The first use of atomic bombs in warfare occurred in 1945, specifically during World War II. The United States dropped two atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima on August 6 and Nagasaki on August 9. These bombings were aimed at forcing Japan to surrender, thereby bringing an end to the war. The catastrophic destruction and loss of life due to the bombings led to profound discussions about the ethics of nuclear warfare and ultimately influenced international relations and policies regarding nuclear weapons in the decades that followed.