🛩️ While scrolling TikTok or Instagram, you probably won’t stumble upon this shocking WWII-era stat: The U.S. dropped more bombs on Laos during the Vietnam War than it did on Germany and Japan combined. Let that sink in. 💥
Officially, America wasn’t at war with Laos—a neutral Southeast Asian nation—yet between 1964 and 1973, over 2.5 million tonnes of explosives rained down during covert ops to disrupt North Vietnamese supply lines. Imagine your hometown getting hit by a plane every 8 minutes for 9 years. That’s Laos’ reality. 😱
Today, 30% of those bombs didn’t explode, leaving deadly UXO (unexploded ordnance) scattered across rice fields and villages. Over 20,000 Laotians have been killed or injured since the war ended—trivia you won’t hear in history class. 📚
Why does this matter now? 🌱 Grassroots groups like Legacies of War are racing to clear UXO while advocating for global awareness. For travelers hitting Laos’ waterfalls or Luang Prabang, it’s a reminder that paradise has hidden scars. ✨
So next time you blast 'Born in the U.S.A.,' remember: War’s shadows linger long after the headlines fade. 🌅
