Obama to become first sitting president to visit Hiroshima

President Obama plans to travel to Hiroshima during a trip to Japan later this month, and in doing so he will become the first sitting president to visit the site of the 1945 atomic bombing. "The President will make an historic visit to Hiroshima with Prime Minister [Shinzo] Abe to highlight his continued commitment to pursuing peace and security in a world without nuclear weapons," a statement from Obama's press secretary said.

Jimmy Carter also visited Hiroshima, but after the end of his presidency. Obama, however, is reportedly visiting the site less in memory of World War II and more to "offer a forward-looking vision focused on our shared future," according to communications adviser Ben Rhodes.

The Hiroshima bombing killed 140,000 people and, along with the Nagasaki bombing, is credited for ending World War II.

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