These two sound recordings are from the United Nations Conference on International Organization Proceedings held at the Hoover Institution Archives. This conference was held in San Francisco from April 25 to June 26, 1945 and resulted in the signing of the United Nations Charter.

Surrender of Germany announced at plenary, May 7, 1945 (UNCIO, Part 8, Hoover Institution Archives)

Various reporters contribute to a program from Bikini Lagoon about the Baker atomic bomb test. They describe the area immediately before, the extent of the explosion, and immediately after the underwater explosion. The explosion occurs at 5:11 into the program, with Admiral Blandy immediately confirming the successful explosion.

Don Mosley, Clete Roberts, Don Bell, and Ralph Howard Peterson report from the USS Mt. McKinley. Another journalist views the explosion from a B29 in the air.

United States Foreign Broadcast Intelligence Service miscellaneous records, ca. 1941-1945

National Broadcasting Company report about the atomic bomb test at Bikini Lagoon

Don Bell reports from the U.S.S. Mt. McKinley at Bikini the day before the Able test. He relays the thoughts of Admirals William H.P. Blandy and William "Deak" Parsons on the weather conditions for the test.

Don Bell reports from the USS Mt. McKinley en route to Bikini for Operation Crossroads

Recordings that document the preparation, detonation, and aftermath of two nuclear bombs on the Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands in July 1946.

Don Bell radio report from 23 Jun 1946

Vice Admiral Blandy offers his statement on the results of the first underwater atomic bomb explosion.

Vice Admiral Blandy offers his statement on the results of the first underwater  explosion

A reporter interviews Secretary of the Navy Forrestal the day after the Able test of Operation Crossroads. Forrestal had just returned from inspecting the target fleet, and he answers questions from radio correspondents aboard the USS Mt. McKinley. The Secretary notes it is too early to draw conclusions from the test. He was most surprised by the inspection that heavy ships did not receive that much damage.

A reporter interviews Secretary of the Navy Forrestal

Don Bell reports after the Baker atomic bomb test on the continuing effects of nuclear weapons on the future of Naval ships.

Don Bell reports after the Baker atomic bomb test on the continuing effects of nuclear weapons

Don Bell reports how accidental discovery during the Able atomic bomb test of using polarized lenses to trace atomic clouds aided the research conducted during the Baker test.

Don Bell report on polarized lenses

Don Bell reports on the USS Saratoga following the Baker atomic bomb test. He notes this is a turning point for the Navy, and yet the reasons for the ship collapsing are unknown.

Don Bell reports on the USS Saratoga following the Baker atomic bomb test

Don Bell reports 24 hours after the Baker atomic bomb test at Bikini Lagoon. He is "inside the lagoon, safe, and within four miles of the target array." He then explains the safety period following an atomic explosion and when radioactivity becomes dangerous. He describes the lagoon as "a lagoon of death," relaying the results of the test from Admiral Blandy.

Don Bell reports 24 hours after the Baker atomic bomb test at Bikini Lagoon

Michelle Nickerson discusses conservative and feminism in the mid-twentieth century.

L&A Michelle Nickerson, "Mothers of Conservatism"

Hoover fellow and Stanford historian Norman Naimark discusses Joseph Stalin's foreign policy.

Hoover Archives

Popular tracks