One word could’ve been responsible for the atom bomb

The Potsdam Declaration, drafted in 1945, demanded the unconditional surrender of Japan. The Japanese Prime Minister responded with the word “mokusatsu” before any formal decision was made. In English, it can be translated to “no comment” or “to ignore”. President Truman received the latter translation, and 10 days later the U.S. dropped the atom bomb on Hiroshima.