Thousands gathered in Hiroshima this week to mark the 80th anniversary of the world’s first wartime atomic bombing, as survivors, schoolchildren, international officials and peace advocates came together with one shared message: no more nuclear weapons.
On August 6, 1945, the US dropped an atomic bomb – codenamed Little Boy – on the western Japanese city. It killed around 78,000 people instantly. By the end of that year, tens of thousands more would die from burns and radiation-related illnesses. Three days later, Nagasaki was bombed too. Japan surrendered on August 15, ending World War II.
At Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park – located right below where the bomb exploded – a record number of delegates from 120 countries and territories attended this year’s ceremony.
Children from all over Japan also took part, reading out messages of hope and promising peace for the future. The UN Secretary-General’s representative shared a statement calling for an end to nuclear threats.
Many of those present echoed the mayor’s worries.
The survivors – known as hibakusha – were once discriminated against due to false beliefs about radiation and genetics. Now, their numbers are dwindling. This year, for the first time, fewer than 100,000 are still alive.
Japan officially supports nuclear disarmament but hasn’t signed the UN treaty banning nuclear weapons. As the years pass and memories fade, the message from Hiroshima grows louder: the world must not forget.
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