At 8:15 on August 6, 1945, the world’s first atomic bomb used in war just missed its intended target, the Aioi Bridge, and detonated about 150m from Hiroshima’s exhibition hall, now known as the Genbaku Dome / The A-bomb Dome. Because the bomb detonated almost directly above the hall, the buildings vertical columns were able to withstand most of the downward force, and some of the building was able to remain intact, unlike most of the buildings in the area. Everyone in the building died immediately. An estimated 70,000 people in the city died instantly, and another 70,000 died by 1950 due to injuries and radiation.

Hiroshima was rebuilt around the dome, and in 1966 (after much debate) it was decided to preserve the building. In 1996 it was declared part of UNESCO’s World Heritage list.