历史上的今天:08月09日

August 9

More than 73,000 people were killed by the Nagasaki bomb 1945: Atom bomb hits Nagasaki England have American forces have dropped an atomic bomb on Nagasaki - the second such attack on Japan in three days. The bomb was dropped by parachute from an American B29 Bomber at 1102 local time. It exploded about 1,625 ft (500m) above the ground and is believed to have completely destroyed the city, which is situated on the western side of the Japanese island of Kyushu. Ignorant of the contamination risks they were taking, they were bussed to Nagasaki for transfer to Okinawa. In a statement issued from Guam, General Carl A Spaatz, Commander of the US Strategic Air Forces in the Pacific, said: "The second use of the atomic bomb occurred at noon, August 9, at Nagasaki. "Crew members report good results. No further details will be available until the mission returns." American airmen flying many miles from Nagasaki have said smoke from fires in the city was rising 50,000ft (15,240m). Nagasaki is one of Japan's most important ports providing vital access to and from Shanghai. Three days ago a similar device was dropped on the city of Hiroshima on Japan's largest island, Honshu. The extent of the damage caused to Hiroshima is not yet known but Japanese broadcasts indicate that "enormous devastation" has been done. No reaction to the Nagasaki attack has yet been given by Japan but pressure is growing on the country to surrender. Yesterday the USSR joined forces with the allies and declared war on Japan. The Americans have also warned the Japanese people that further attacks of a similar nature will be made unless they petition their emperor to surrender. More than three million leaflets were dropped over the country today from American aeroplanes warning the Japanese people that more atomic weapons would be used "again and again" to destroy the country unless they ended the war forthwith .

Sharon Tate was due to have a baby shortly 1969: Film star stabbed in 'ritualistic' killings Artificially 1969: Film The actress, Sharon Tate, has been found brutally murdered in her Los Angeles home, along with three high-society friends and a fifth, as yet un-named, victim. All five died from shooting and multiple stab wounds. Sharon Tate, 26, was the wife of film director Roman Polanski and was eight months pregnant. In what police said appeared to be a "ritualistic" murder, she was found tied together with her former fiance hair stylist Jay Sebring. Police said both had nylon nooses around their necks, and Mr Sebring's head was covered with a black hood. They said both probably died of stab wounds. The bodies of Abigail Folger, 25, a member of a wealthy coffee-manufacturing family, and her boyfriend Voyteck Frykowski, 32, were found sprawled on the lawn outside. Both had been shot. The fifth victim, a man, was found slumped over the wheel of a car with multiple gunshot wounds. Police described a horrific scene at the hilltop house in the wealthy Bel Air district of the city. Some of the bodies had been mutilated , with blood smeared everywhere and the word "Pig" scrawled on the front door in blood. Police said the phone and electricity lines had been cut. It's believed that Miss Folger and Mr Frykowsky, as well as Mr Sebring, had come from San Francisco to spend the weekend at the house. The bungalow-style property, in an isolated area between Beverly Hills and the San Fernando Valley, is owned by Terry Melcher, son of film star Doris Day. It was being rented by Roman Polanski and Sharon Tate who had recently returned there to have her baby after working in London. Mr Polanski was still in Europe directing his latest film, but left immediately for Los Angeles on hearing the news. Immediately after the discovery of the bodies, police arrested a houseboy, William Garretson, 19, who was living in a guest house behind the house. After five hours of questioning, he was charged with five counts of murder. Sharon Tate began her acting career in the television series, Beverly Hillbillies. She also had parts in the films Valley of the Dolls, the Americanisation of Emily, and The Sandpiper.

Vocabulary:

contamination :the act of contaminating or polluting（污染） petition :a formal message requesting something that is submitted to an authority（请愿） forthwith : Immediately; without delay or hesitation（立刻，毫不犹豫地） brutally : In a brutal manner; cruelly（残忍地） mutilate : destroy or injure severely（毁伤）