In the early forties , the United States feared what might happen if German physicists harnessed atomic energy to build a bomb . In reply , the nation ’s proficient scientist and locomotive engineer convened with the goal to construct the mankind ’s first nuclear weapon . The secret military projection was called the Manhattan Project , and research and product sites were open in Oak Ridge , Tennessee ; Hanford , Washington ; and Los Alamos , New Mexico .
In 1945 , the atomic bombardment of Hiroshima and Nagasaki helped terminate the war . Now , 70 years after World War II , Smithsonianreportsthat the National Park Service and the Department of Energy will save the three inquiry sites and move around them into a national commons .
The Manhattan Project National Historical Park will “ divvy up with the world the floor of one of America ’s most transformative scientific discovery that fundamentally altered the course of the 20th century , ” U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewellsaid in a waiver . “ visitant will soon be able to see the contributions of more than 600,000 Americans who play a role in this pregnant chapter in history . The green will also dish up as a reminder that these action and discovery must be cover with smashing care for they can have world - change consequences . "
According to the Associated Press , officials say that the park " will tell the story of the three historical internet site from a range of position , including the cities in Japan where two atomic bombs were strike down in 1945 . " Although the Manhattan Project National Historical Park was just formally establish this week after being contract into law last yr , Smithsoniansays it ’s been planned for about a decennary .
Some atomic activists are n’t pleased that it ’s now official . Greg Mello , who direct the anti - nuclear Los Alamos Study Group , described the parkas “ pure propaganda for Los Alamos National Laboratory and its die hard mission of make weapons of global destruction . ”
[ h / tSmithsonian ]
