World 78 years ago today: Historical photos show aftermath in Nagasaki after US drops atomic bomb August 9, 2023August 9, 2023 Kate Perez, USA TODAY Comments Off on 78 years ago today: Historical photos show aftermath in Nagasaki after US drops atomic bomb On Aug. 9, 1945, a U.S. bomber dropped an atomic weapon on Nagasaki, killing 70,000 people and ultimately leading to the end of World War II.