A great ball of fire about a mile in diameter, changing colors as it kept shooting upward, from deep purple to orange, expanding, growing bigger, rising as it was expanding, an elemental force freed from its bonds after being chained for billions of years.

William L. Laurence

The New York Times

Reporting on the first detonation of an atomic bomb which occurred in New Mexico on July 16th, 1945.

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Laurence, William L. "Drama of the Atomic Bomb Found Climax in July 16 Test; Drama of the Atomic Bomb Found Climax in New Mexico Test Caravan of Scientists by Night Directions for Observers' Safety Roar Reverberations Over Desert." The New York Times, 26 Sept. 1945.