A World in Pictures - Sam Flomenhoft

Depicted here, a man surveys the ruin of Hiroshima, days after the United States military deployed "Little Boy", the first atomic bomb used in warfare. Just days before, Hiroshima was a lively city, full of people and economic activity, but the scene here shows no signs of life besides the sole man. While we can never fully understand the devastation and tragedy the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki caused, this picture captures some of that overwhelming sense of loss.
Looking at this picture can make a person rethink the United State's decision to drop this bomb, and definitely lead them to dissent with their decision to drop a second one. Many of the survivors, like the one in this photograph, probably felt complete loss and hopelessness. Their homes had been destroyed and everyone they knew killed. The buildings were torn down, as seen here, and there was ash and debris still floating around. Even the strongest buildings could hardly survive. An example is the building depicted here, that has nothing but its skeleton left. This picture abhorred me and made me understand the seriousness of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.