President Harry Truman authorizes invasion of Japan, April 25th, 1945
Twelve days after he has been sworn into office, Harry S. Truman approves the wholesale invasion of Japan by American forces. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers are expected to perish if the attack is finally given the go. But the invasion might be unnecessary. The day before, Truman was briefed on the top secret news that the United States will soon test the atomic bomb. If successful, this weapon could end the Pacific War. At this point, Truman is not sure what the atomic bomb is. But he knows that the bleeding of American lives must be stopped—Japan must be crushed.