The United States detonated two nuclear weapons over the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on 6 and 9 August 1945, respectively. The two bombings killed between 129,000 and 226,000 people, most of whom were civilians, and they remain the only use of nuclear weapons in armed conflict.
The allied powers had created two types of atomic bombs: "Fat Man", a plutonium nuclear weapon; and "Little Boy", an enriched uranium weapon.
On 26 July 1945, The Allies called for the unconditional surrender of the Japanese armed forces, the alternative being "prompt and utter destruction". Japan ignored the ultimatum.
The consent of the United Kingdom was obtained for the bombing and orders were issued on 25 July for atomic bombs to be used against Hiroshima, Kokura, Niigata, and Nagasaki. These targets were chosen because they were large urban areas that also held important military facilities.
On 6 August, Little Boy was dropped on Hiroshima, but Prime Minister Suzuki reiterated the commitment to ignore the Allies' demands and fight on. Three days later, Fat Man was dropped on Nagasaki. Over the next two to four months, the effects of the atomic bombings killed between 90,000 and 146,000 people in Hiroshima and 39,000 to 80,000 people in Nagasaki.
For months afterwards, large numbers of people continued to die from the effects of burns, radiation sickness, and injuries, along with illness and malnutrition. Cancer, birth defects, brain development defects in unborn children were also some other effects! Most of the dead were civilians, although Hiroshima had a sizeable military force. It was unimaginable mayhem & devastation!
Nagasaki and Hiroshima remind us to put peace first every day; to work on conflict prevention and resolution, reconciliation, and dialogue; and to tackle the roots of conflict and violence.
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Day provides a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to Peace above all differences and to contribute to building a culture of peace. It celebrates the power of Global Solidarity for building a peaceful and sustainable world.
This day is also called the anti-nuclear day as the world was exposed to the horrors of mass genocide & devastation by the most powerful bombs ever made!
Let us remind ourselves how the Indian concept of Dharma and the Japanese concept of Ikigai are comparable in some respects. Both philosophies illustrate the importance of a higher purpose in life. They promote a path of good & positive action that will drive the person, their family, their community and their society towards becoming honourable, self-contained and sustainable.
This concept has never been more important. We face unprecedented challenges and division has emerged - spreading hatred and intolerance. Terrorism is fuelling violence and seeks to poison the minds of the vulnerable and young, heightening the risk of violence. The World Body is urging people to stand against attempts to use the COVID virus to promote discrimination & hatred.
Let us celebrate this day by spreading a word about compassion, kindness, and hope in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, Global Warming, Terrorism, Racism, etc.
Awareness of Peace Memorial Day creates action, and that action saves lives.