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On Friday, Hiroshima marked the 65th anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing in World War II . A U.S. representative participated for the first time Friday in Japan's annual commemoration of the American atomic bombing of Hiroshima, in a 65th anniversary event that organizers hope will bolster global efforts toward nuclear disarmament. Although President Barack Obama was not present, Washington sent John Roos, US Ambassador, to the annual memorial located at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial.Representatives from France and Britain, US allies during WWII, were also present as a symbolic gesture. It's hard to imagine that 65 years ago, these countries were, along with the US, were aligned against Japan, and today, they pay their respects. At Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park, where Friday's ceremony was held, leftist groups in trucks blared anti-U.S. slogans to the crowds.

"The bombing of Hiroshima was totally unnecessary," said one group. "U.S., take your nukes and go home."

According to Wikipedia, After six months of intense strategic fire-bombing of 67 Japanese cities the Japanese government ignored an ultimatum given by the Potsdam Declaration. By executive order of President Harry S. Truman the U.S. dropped the nuclear weapon "Little Boy" on the city of Hiroshima on Monday, August 6, 1945, followed by the detonation of "Fat Man" over Nagasakion August 9.On Aug. 6, 1945, during World War II, the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. About 140,000 people were killed or died within months when the American B-29 “Enola Gay” bombed Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945. Three days later, about 80,000 people died after the United States also bombed Nagasaki. Japan surrendered on Aug. 15, ending World War II. To this day, the bombings remain the only time nuclear weapons have been unleashed. The decision in the Hiroshima bombing was purely a strategic one that would tip the scales of the war in the US's favor. Hiroshima was a large city with a dense population. To the military, it was a prime target for bombing due to it being a communications hub for operations and the second command center for the Japanese Military. In the final analysis, the 65th Anniversary of Hiroshima and Nagaski and the dropping of the first atomic bomb was pivotal during the nations unrest. Lives were lost, ways of life would change, and the allure of building more weapons of mass destruction would define the "unthinkable".