The 80th Anniversary of the Hiroshima Atomic Bombing
Today, August 6, 2025, marks the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. This devastating event occurred during the final stages of World War II.
Historical Context:
On August 6, 1945, the United States dropped the world's first atomic bomb, code-named "Little Boy," on the Japanese city of Hiroshima.
The bomb was dropped from a B-29 bomber, the Enola Gay, and detonated at 8:15 a.m. local time.
The initial explosion and subsequent firestorm resulted in the immediate deaths of tens of thousands of people. By the end of 1945, the total death toll was estimated to be between 90,000 and 166,000, including those who died from radiation sickness.
Three days later, on August 9, 1945, a second atomic bomb, "Fat Man," was dropped on Nagasaki. This led to Japan's unconditional surrender on August 15, officially ending World War II.
The 80th Anniversary Commemoration:
The annual Peace Memorial Ceremony was held at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, located near the hypocenter of the bombing.
The ceremony featured a moment of silent prayer and the ringing of the Peace Bell at 8:15 a.m., the precise time of the detonation.
Hiroshima's mayor, Kazumi Matsui, delivered a "Peace Declaration" in which he called for the abolition of nuclear weapons and warned against the dangers of rising global militarism.
Thousands of people attended the event, including aging survivors (known as hibakusha), government officials, and representatives from a record 120 countries and regions. Notably, this included delegates from Russia and Belarus.
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba also addressed the assembly, pledging that the tragedies of Hiroshima and Nagasaki must never be repeated and that Japan will lead international efforts to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons.
For many of the elderly survivors, the 80th anniversary is seen as a final, significant milestone, making it a particularly poignant occasion for them to share their stories and express their concerns about growing nuclear threats around the world.
I'm Aisha shehu
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