Aspect	Details
Name	Hiroshima Day 2024
Date	August 6th, 2024 (Monday)
Purpose	Commemorates the anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japan, during World War II, and promotes peace, nuclear disarmament, and non-violence
Origin	To remember the victims of atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Key Activities	Memorial services, peace vigils, commemorative events, educational programs, exhibitions, and campaigns promoting nuclear disarmament and peacebuilding
Themes	Remembrance, reconciliation and peacebuilding

Hiroshima Day 2024

Each year, on August 6th, we remember Hiroshima Day. It’s a day to talk about what happened when an atomic bomb exploded. The United States dropped this bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, in 1945, during World War II. It was a very powerful explosion, and it caused a lot of damage. Almost the entire city was destroyed, about 90% of it.

Many people lost their lives in this tragedy. It’s estimated that between 70,000 to 126,000 civilians and about 20,000 military personnel died. Then, just three days later, another bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, killing around 80,000 people. This was the first and only time nuclear weapons were used in war.

Since then, no other war has seen the use of nuclear bombs. As we come closer to the 79th anniversary on July 6, 2024, we remember this sad event and hope for peace.

Hiroshima Day History

After Germany lost to the Allies in May 1945, the Second World War kept going in Asia. Japan and the Allies kept fighting. The United States thought that using nuclear bombs was the best way to stop many American soldiers from getting hurt in Japan. They made two bombs as part of the Manhattan Project, called Little Boy and Fat Man.

Little Boy was dropped on Nagasaki on August 6, 1945. It killed many soldiers and civilians. Three days later, Fat Man was dropped on Hiroshima, causing more casualties. People say that if the Allies had attacked Japan in a normal way, more people would have died.

On August 15, 1945, the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki officially ended World War II. The people who survived are called “Hibakusha” in Japan, which means “explosion-affected people.” Japan knows about 650,000 Hibakusha.

Hiroshima Day Timeline

World War II in Europe ended on May 8, 1945, after Germany surrendered, but the conflict continued in the Pacific between the Allies and Japan. In July 1945, during the Potsdam Declaration, the Allies demanded Japan’s complete and unconditional surrender, but Japan refused and continued fighting. Since the 1940s, the US had been researching nuclear weapons through the Manhattan Project, responding to the awareness that Nazi Germany was also conducting similar research.

The Manhattan Project produced two types of atomic bombs by the end of August. In 1944, the US Army established the 509th Composite Group to operationalize the use of nuclear bombs in the war.

The ‘Target Committee’ chose Hiroshima and Nagasaki from a list of five targets due to their significance and the presence of military and industrial installations. On July 25th, the order was given to drop atomic bombs on Japanese cities. On August 6, a B-29 aircraft dropped ‘Little Boy’ on Hiroshima, which was a uranium gun-type bomb and part of the Manhattan Project.

Impact of Hiroshima Day

In the city of Hiroshima, between 90,000 to 146,000 lives were lost due to a devastating bombing. The attack led to the swift destruction of the city. After the bombing, people faced a variety of challenges, including radiation sickness, burns, and other injuries. The impact was worsened by illnesses and malnutrition. While most of the casualties were civilians, some soldiers also lost their lives.

Interesting Facts on Hiroshima Day

While Hiroshima Day is primarily a day of remembrance and reflection on the tragic events of August 6, 1945, there are several interesting facts surrounding this important observance:

1. Origins of the Day: Hiroshima Day was first observed in 1946, one year after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japan, during World War II. It was initiated by pacifist organizations and individuals as a way to commemorate the victims of the bombing and advocate for peace and nuclear disarmament.
2. Symbolism of the Date: The date of August 6th was chosen for Hiroshima Day because it marks the anniversary of the day when the United States dropped the atomic bomb named “Little Boy” on the city of Hiroshima, leading to unprecedented destruction and loss of life.
3. Impact of the Bombing: The atomic bombing of Hiroshima resulted in the deaths of an estimated 140,000 people by the end of 1945, with many more suffering from injuries and long-term health effects due to radiation exposure. The city was left devastated, with buildings reduced to rubble and widespread destruction.
4. Survivors: Known as hibakusha, the survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki have played a crucial role in advocating for peace, nuclear disarmament, and the abolition of nuclear weapons. Their testimonies serve as powerful reminders of the human cost of war and the importance of preventing such tragedies from happening again.
5. Peace Memorial Park: Hiroshima is home to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, established to commemorate the victims of the atomic bombing and promote peace and reconciliation. The park includes the iconic Atomic Bomb Dome, which stands as a haunting reminder of the devastation caused by nuclear weapons.
6. Annual Ceremonies: On Hiroshima Day each year, memorial ceremonies are held in Hiroshima and around the world to honor the victims of the atomic bombing and reaffirm the commitment to peace and nuclear disarmament. These ceremonies often include speeches, prayers, candlelight vigils, and the floating of paper lanterns on rivers as a symbol of remembrance.
7. Global Impact: Hiroshima Day has become an internationally recognized day of remembrance and advocacy for peace and nuclear disarmament. It serves as a platform for individuals, organizations, and governments to come together in solidarity and work towards a world free from the threat of nuclear weapons.

Hiroshima Day Significance

Hiroshima Day holds great importance in spreading awareness about anti-war and anti-nuclear movements globally. It symbolizes a call for peace in both politics and the hearts of people. On this day, many individuals visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, which preserves the history of the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II.

Hiroshima Day 2024 – FAQs

Why is Hiroshima Day celebrated?

Every year August 6 is observed as Hiroshima Day across the world to mark the atomic bombing of the Japanese cities during World War II.

When was Hiroshima and Nagasaki incident?

The first atomic bomb, named Little Boy, was dropped on Hiroshima from the Enola Gay, a B-29 bomber, at 8:15 AM on August 6, 1945. The second bomb, named Fat Man, was dropped on Nagasaki from the Bockscar, also a B-29 bomber, at 11:02 AM on August 9, 1945.

How is Hiroshima day 2023 celebrated?

Every August 6, “A-Bomb Day”, the city of Hiroshima holds the Peace Memorial Ceremony to console the victims of the atomic bombs and to pray for the realization of lasting world peace.