It was on this day in 1945 that the United States dropped an atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima, Japan. It was the first time that a nuclear weapon was ever used in warfare, and only the second time that a nuclear weapon had ever been exploded. The attack led to the end of World War II. The Allies sent a message to Japan on July 26 that said, "We call upon the government of Japan to proclaim now the unconditional surrender of all Japanese armed forces...The alternative for Japan is prompt and utter destruction." Japan rejected the terms of surrender after one day of debate. Secretary of War Henry Stimson cabled Truman to ask for permission to use the bomb, and Truman cabled back, "Suggestion approved. Release when ready." On August 5, the bomb was loaded onto a specially designed B—29 bomber. The bomb was called "Little Boy," because it was the smaller of two devices that had been made. It contained 2.2 pounds of uranium.

The bomb was dropped over Hiroshima at 8:15 AM. It exploded 1900 feet above the ground. Capt Robert Lewis watched the explosion from his cockpit, and wrote in his journal, "My God, what have we done?"

The temperature on the ground directly under the explosion reached 7200 degrees Fahrenheit. The flames of the explosion traveled seven miles in 30 seconds. The blast of light burned permanent shadows into the sides of buildings and on the ground. Survivors foraging for food in vegetable gardens later that day dug up potatoes that had been baked in the soil. More than three quarters of the city's buildings were destroyed. About eighty—thousand people died instantly, and sixty thousand more would die from their injuries in the coming months. World War II ended slightly more than a week after the bomb was dropped.

" I believe there is an important distinction to be made between religion and spirituality. Religion I take to be concerned with belief in the claims to salvation of one faith tradition or another--an aspect of which is acceptance of some form of meta-physical or philosophical reality, including perhaps an idea of heaven or hell. Connected with this are religious teachings or dogma, ritual, prayers and so on. Spirituality I take to be concerned with those qualities of the human spirit--such as love and compassion, patience, tolerance, forgiveness, contentment, a sense of responsibility, a sense of harmony, which bring happiness to both self and others." -His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Carl Jung said, "Show me a sane man and I will cure him for you."

George Bernard Shaw said, "Few people think more than two or three times a year; I have made an international reputation for myself by thinking once or twice a week."

Yesterday David and I drove to Raymore for a wonderful family barbecue hosted by my oldest sister. All of my siblings (Mary, Shirley, Louise, Brenda and Malcolm) were there, as well as three of my nieces--along with their husbands and children. I had lots of fun playing with my great-nephews and great-nieces, as I did with their parents when they were children.

I'm back! David and I got back late last night from a wonderful road trip. We spent three nights in Calgary (at Larry and Dave's place), one in Kamloops (at a motel), four in the West End of Vancouver (at Stephen and Glen's place), three in West Vancouver (at Lloyd and Linda's place), one in a different motel in Kamloops, and one on an acreage near Millarville (near Calgary, at Sharon and Brian's place). We visited many friends, ate great meals at restaurants and homes, saw incredible scenery, and even saw (four times in two days) a black bear in Lloyd and Linda's back yard in West Vancouver. I'll give more details about the trip soon. Today we're heading to a family barbeque that my sister Mary is having in Raymore.

By the way, my grammar workshop at the U. of S. on July 17 went very well.