News Archive

August 23, 2025 Newsletter This month the world recognized the 80th anniversary of the development and use of the atomic bombs on Japan in 1945. People from around the globe gathered at Hiroshima and Nagasaki and floated lanterns with messages of peace. The three Manhattan Project National Historical Park sites also commemorated the anniversary with […]

This issue looks at Vannevar Bush’s legacy of Federal funding for basic scientific research as the Trump administration cuts back on funding. The Department of Energy’s Chris Wright is calling for a “Manhattan Project 2” to ensure American predominance in artificial intelligence and to jump-start a long-awaited renaissance for nuclear energy. Oak Ridge National Laboratory is at […]

December 20, 2024 Newsletter As 2024 comes to an end, nuclear power is poised for a resurgence. This issue traces the beginnings of civilian nuclear power in the USA in the decades following World War II. For twenty years, the USA led the world in developing the blueprint for nuclear power reactors. As former Chairman […]

August 5, 2024 Newsletter This month, the Atomic Heritage Foundation recognizes the 79th anniversary of the first atomic bombs and the National Park Service’s “Days of Peace and Remembrance” at the three Manhattan Project National Historical Park sites. Other activities in August include a variety of programs at Oak Ridge, an Oppenheimer Festival 2024 at Los Alamos, and tours […]

April 4, 2024 Newsletter The movie “Oppenheimer” won seven Academy Awards, creating a “Big Bang” in the media. On March 10, the BBC’s Dan Snow produced a History Hits podcast on “Oppenheimer vs Einstein,“ interviewing the Atomic Heritage Foundation’s Cindy Kelly. Japan’s NHK produced a documentary about Edgar Sengier, “Mystery Man of the A-Bomb.“ In March, “A Compassionate Spy” featured Theodore A. […]

November 10, 2023 Newsletter Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” exceeded all expectations. The movie is now the highest-grossing biopic of all time with $945 million in global ticket sales. Even before its release, the movie galvanized the media and public worldwide. The movie stimulated a media blitz with numerous articles and programs on Oppenheimer and the Manhattan […]

June 21, 2023 Newsletter Congratulations to Los Alamos on being one of Smithsonian magazine’s top 15 best small towns to visit in 2023!  Los Alamos is preparing for an influx of tourists from the “Oppenheimer” film and this great publicity. Bring them on! This issue features the Manhattan Project interpreted four ways–by artworks, books, a radio program, and […]

February 3, 2023 Newsletter This issue highlights the exoneration of J. Robert Oppenheimer by Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm. In December, the Secretary vacated the Atomic Energy Commission’s 1954 decision to revoke Oppenheimer’s security clearance. In recognition of Black History Month in February, the issue notes the challenges and contributions of Black people who worked […]

December 1, 2022 Newsletter This issue recognizes the 80th anniversary of the Chicago Pile-I. Built in a squash court at the University of Chicago, this experimental “pile” was used to demonstrate the world’s first controlled nuclear reaction on December 2, 1942. Thanks to our many generous donors, the Atomic Heritage Foundation (AHF) and the National Museum […]

March 12, 2022 Newsletter This newsletter focuses on the Ukrainian situation today and its links to the past. The first article highlights how the speeches of Winston Churchill in June 1940 inspire Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as he defends his country from Russia’s ruthless invasion. Second, Manhattan Project veteran Benjamin Bederson recounts his shock at […]