Hiroshima Day, observed annually on August 6, marks the anniversary of the first atomic bombing in human history. On that day in 1945, the United States dropped the uranium bomb nicknamed “Little Boy” on Hiroshima, instantly destroying the city and killing tens of thousands, while countless others succumbed to injuries and radiation in the following months.
The Day the World Changed Forever
At 8:15 a.m. local time, the bomb detonated approximately 600 meters overhead, unleashing the force of 12–15 kilotons of TNT. Five square miles of Hiroshima were leveled, roughly 80,000 lives were lost instantly, and by year’s end, the death toll had climbed to over 140,000.
A Ceremony of Peace and Reflection
Each year on this date, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park hosts the official Peace Memorial Ceremony starting at 8 a.m., culminating with a one-minute silence at the exact moment of the blast – 8:15 a.m. The ceremony includes offerings of water and flowers, readings of victims’ names, and the Mayor’s Peace Declaration, followed by dove releases and children’s messages of hope.
In the evening, mourners, survivors, and visitors float paper lanterns down the Motoyasu River, echoing a tradition that began soon after the bombing: each lantern bears a message of peace or remembrance, casting a serene glow beneath the Atomic Bomb Dome.
Voices of the Hibakusha: Bearing Witness
With over 80 years passed, the number of surviving hibakusha – atomic bombing survivors – has dwindled to fewer than 100,000, with an average age in the mid‑80s. Many now speak out about their experiences, sharing first-hand sorrow, trauma, and hope for nuclear abolition. Their stories remain urgent and poignant, especially amid rising global tensions today.
One tragic example is Ayano Hirashima, a rare “double hibakusha” exposed to both Hiroshima and Nagasaki blasts. Now aged 88, she continues to bear witness and calls for a nuclear-free world.
Why This Day Remains Vital
- Commemoration of Lives Lost
August 6 honors the memory of those annihilated or disabled by nuclear warfare. - A Legacy of Warning and Peace
The day reminds us of nuclear weapons’ immense destructive power and the moral responsibility to prevent future use. - A Global Call for Disarmament
Civil society events worldwide – from school programs to NGO-led campaigns – reinforce the message: nuclear weapons must be abolished.
The 80th Anniversary: A Landmark Moment
In 2025, Hiroshima Day takes on deeper resonance as the world marks the 80th anniversary of the bombing. Hiroshima Prefecture and organisations like ICAN (International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons) are staging global educational forums and youth-focused peace programs, urging world leaders and citizens alike to confront the persistent threat of nuclear weapons