The atomic bomb named "Little Boy" was dropped by American airmen on the Japanese city of Hiroshima on 6 August 1945. Three days later on 9 August 1945, the atomic bomb "Fat Man" was dropped over Nagasaki.
The Hiroshima explosion destroyed 90 percent of the city and killed approximately 80,000 people; tens of thousands more died later from radiation exposure. The Nagasaki A-bomb killed approximately 40,000 people.
Find out about commemorations in Christchurch.
Hiroshima - Small child with baby on back searching for anything of usefulness. New Zealand. Department of Internal Affairs. War History Branch :Photographs relating to World War 1914-1918, World War 1939-1945, occupation of Japan, Korean War, and Malayan Emergency. Ref: J-0012-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/23130201
I remember reading the comic book series Barefoot Gen, and following him through ravaged Hiroshima. And Sadako and the thousand cranes - based on a true story - Sadako had developed leukemia from radiation.
And later, reading harrowing eyewitness reports from Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
There's a statue of Sadako in the Hiroshima Peace Park, at its feet a plaque that reads:
"This is our cry. This is our prayer. Peace on Earth."
Find out more about Hiroshima and Nagasaki
- A set of images and articles related to Hiroshima and Nagasaki on DigitalNZ.
- Find information about Hiroshima in our catalogue.
- Find information about Nagasaki in our catalogue.
- Hiroshima Peace Site - the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum (in English and Japanese)
- Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki History.com
Christchurch commemorations
Bell ringing - Thursday 6 August 11.15 am at the World Peace Bell in Christchurch Botanic Gardens
As in recent years, the NZ Chapter of The World Peace Bell Association is participating in an international bell ringing to mark the exact time of the Hiroshima A bombing 70 years ago (8.15 am Japan time. 11.15 NZ time.) The event originated with peace campaigner SuZen in NYC. She organizes a huge event in New York Central Park every Hiroshima anniversary. This being the 70th anniversary of Hiroshima, it is suggested we ring the bell once for every year. It would be great to have church bells, tram bells, and any other bells joining in.
Information from the World Peace Bell Association.
70th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki at 5pm on Sunday 9 August at the World Peace Bell in the Botanic Gardens
The Disarmament and Security Centre would like to invite you to join us to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki at 5pm on Sunday 9 August at the World Peace Bell in the Botanic Gardens. The Mayor will be one of the speakers. There will be a gathering afterwards at 6pm at the YMCA for soup and bread and a time to catch up.
Find out more about the World Peace Bell in the Christchurch Botanic Gardens and its connection to Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Flowers under the Peace Bell, Flickr CCL-2014-02-22-22February2014 DSC_1215.JPG
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