Hiroshima day

Hiroshima Day is commemorated on 6th August every year. It is remembered to promote peace over war and bring awareness about the threats of nuclear weapons. The year 2020 marks the 75th year in commemorating the lakhs of people who died in the atomic bombing in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

During World war-II (1939-45), Japan was fighting against the allied powers (the USA, UK and the soviet union). Germany was already defeated in Europe, and its ally Japan continued its fierce battle despite knowing that it could not win the battle. In late July, Japan overturned the proposal of surrender put forth by the Allied powers. After Japan refused to surrender, the United States decided to use nuclear bombs such that the war would come to an end after the bombings.

Hiroshima, a manufacturing centre, was chosen as the first target. On 6th August 1945, B-20 bomber dropped a 9000 pounds Uranium-235 bomb called “Little Boy” at 8.15 in the morning. It exterminated five square miles of the city resulting in about 70,000 immediate deaths. Japan remained unsurrendered after the bombing.

On 9th August 1945, another B-29 bomber dropped 10000 pounds Plutonium bomb called “Fat Man” in Nagasaki at 11.02 am. Though this bomb was more powerful than the first one, the topography of Nagasaki reduced its effect. It destroyed the 2.5 square miles of the city and caused around 40000 immediate deaths.

Japan surrendered to the Allies on 15th August, six days after the bombing of Nagasaki and signed the formal surrender agreement on 2nd September, which finally put an end to world war-II.

Over the next two to four months, around one lakh people died due to the after-effects of atomic bombings in both cities.

Since 1947, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony has been held every year on August 6th each year. The families of the deceased and other participants participate in the event. They remember the victims of the nuclear catastrophe and call for the ban of nuclear weapons.