This Day in History - July 16th

1945: First atomic bomb detonated

On July 16, 1945, the world's first atomic bomb is secretly detonated in the desert near Los Alamos, New Mexico. Under extreme secrecy, the British and Americans began development of the bomb in 1940. In 1942, the atomic program was placed under U.S. Army control and code-named the Manhattan Project, and in 1943 a laboratory directed by U.S. physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer was opened in the New Mexico desert. By the time of the successful Trinity test in July 1945, more than $2 billion had been spent on the bomb's research and development. News of the deadly new weapon was not made public until three weeks later, when two others like it devastated the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Also On This Day

1999

In America, John F Kennedy Jr - son of assassinated President John Kennedy - his wife and her sister, are killed in a plane crash off the Massachusetts resort island of Martha's Vineyard.

1970

In Britain, Prime Minister Edward Heath declares a state of emergency following the start of a national dock strike - the first state of emergency issued in Britain since 1926.

1969

In the United States, the launch of the Apollo 11 spacecraft at the start of its mission to land men on the moon. On board the spacecraft - three US astronauts, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins.

1965

French President Charles De Gaulle and President Saragat of Italy open the 7 mile long Mont Blanc road tunnel linking France with Italy.

1955

Racing driver Stirling Moss becomes first Englishman to win the British Grand Prix.

1951

Publication of J.D Salinger's controversial novel 'Catcher in the Rye'.

1950

The largest ever crowd at a football match - more than 199,000 in Montevideo to see Uruguay beat Brazil 2-1 in the World Cup final.

1945

World War II: The United States detonates its first atomic bomb at an airbase in the New Mexico desert.

1942

World War II: Almost 14,000 Jewish people living in Paris are arrested as German troops begin a round up of the Jewish community.

1942

World War II: Almost 14,000 Jewish people living in Paris are arrested as German troops begin a round up of the Jewish community.

1909

Mohammed Ali, Shah of Persia, is deposed in favour of 12 year old Sultan Ahmad Shah.