Hiroshima Remembers: 80 Years Since the Atomic Bomb Changed the World
On August 6, 2025, the world paused to remember one of history’s most devastating events—the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. In a solemn ceremony, thousands gathered in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park to mark 80 years since the nuclear attack, which changed the course of history and sparked decades of global debate on nuclear disarmament.
Remembering the Day “Little Boy” Fell
Exactly eight decades ago, on August 6, 1945, the United States dropped the first-ever atomic bomb used in warfare over Hiroshima. The uranium-based bomb, code-named “Little Boy”, instantly claimed around 78,000 lives. By the end of that year, radiation and injuries had pushed the death toll much higher.
At the time, Hiroshima served as a major military headquarters and supply hub for Japan during World War II. Strategists believed the city’s surrounding mountains would amplify the bomb’s impact. They were right—the explosion unleashed temperatures of 4,000°C (7,200°F) and deadly radiation, causing massive destruction.
Three days later, a second bomb devastated Nagasaki, leading to Japan’s unconditional surrender on August 15, 1945.
World Leaders Join Hiroshima in Call for Peace
This year’s memorial drew a record attendance—delegates from 120 nations and territories, including the United States and Israel. The latter has never confirmed nor denied possessing nuclear weapons.
A moment of silence was observed at 8:15 a.m., the exact time the bomb detonated. Speaking at the ceremony, Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui urged world leaders to abandon the notion that nuclear arms are necessary for national security.
“Global powers, especially the U.S. and Russia, still hold 90% of the world’s nuclear warheads,” Matsui warned. “This undermines decades of peace efforts and risks repeating past tragedies.”
He emphasized that the current international shift toward military expansion is erasing the hard-learned lessons of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
A Plea for Nuclear Disarmament
Matsui appealed directly to political leaders:
“Please visit Hiroshima. Witness firsthand what nuclear warfare truly means. Only then can we work toward lasting peace.”
His message echoed globally, reminding nations that nuclear disarmament is not just an ideal—it is a necessity for the future of humanity.
Conclusion: Hiroshima’s Tragedy is the World’s Responsibility
Eighty years on, Hiroshima stands as a living memorial—a city rebuilt from ashes, yet forever shaped by the horrors of nuclear war. Its call for peace is not just a national one, but a global appeal to prevent history from repeating itself.
