Nagasaki Day 2024 (9th August), Theme, History & Significance Know about Bombing during World War 2 and Other Facts

Nagasaki Day 2024

Nagasaki Day, observed annually on August 9th, commemorates the tragic atomic bombing of the Japanese city of Nagasaki in 1945. It serves as a powerful reminder of the devastating consequences of nuclear weapons and a call for peace and disarmament.


Nagasaki Day Theme 2024

As of today, the official theme for Nagasaki Day 2024 has not yet been announced by the Nagasaki Peace Park Management Division or the Nagasaki Peace Promotion Committee.

History of Nagasaki Day

On August 9, 1945, three days after the Hiroshima bombing, a US B-29 bomber dropped an atomic bomb nicknamed “Fat Man” on Nagasaki. The bomb detonated over the Urakami River valley, instantly killing an estimated 70,000 people. Tens of thousands more succumbed to radiation sickness in the following years.

The immediate destruction caused by the blast was immense. Houses and buildings were vaporized, leaving behind a wasteland of rubble and fire. Survivors faced horrific injuries and radiation sickness, enduring immense physical and psychological suffering.

Nagasaki Day Observances

Today, Nagasaki Day is commemorated through various events and ceremonies. The Peace Park in Nagasaki, built on the ground zero of the bombing, serves as a poignant symbol of remembrance and a call for peace. The park features the Nagasaki Peace Memorial Statue, a powerful sculpture representing the suffering caused by the atomic bomb.

On August 9th, a Peace Ceremony is held at the park, attended by government officials, survivors, and representatives from around the world. Bells are tolled at 11:02 AM, the exact time the bomb detonated, followed by a minute of silence in honor of the victims.

Significance of Nagasaki Day

Nagasaki Day serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of nuclear weapons. It highlights the importance of international cooperation and efforts towards nuclear disarmament to prevent such tragedies from ever happening again.

The day also promotes peace and reconciliation. By remembering the victims of the bombing and learning from history, we can strive to build a future free from the threat of nuclear weapons and ensure that the horrors of Nagasaki are never repeated.

Nagasaki Day 2024: Facts About Bombing

  • The Plutonium Bomb used for the nuclear attack on Nagasaki was known as ‘Fat Man.’
  • The codename ‘Fat Man’ and ‘Little Boy’ for nuclear bombs were inspired by John Houston’s 1941 film The Maltese Falcon.
  • Nagasaki Bombing killed around 20% population of the city, which means around 60,000-80,000 people.
  • Nagasaki was not part of the US initial list. But it was later replaced with Kyoto because of the then US Secretary of War General Stimson's love for the ancient capital city of Japan.
  • Hibakusha is a common term used to refer to the survivors of the nuclear attack in Japan.
  • A park called Nagasaki Peace Park was built close to the bombing's hypocenter.
  • International discussions on nuclear disarmament and the necessity of averting its use in the future were sparked by Nagasaki Day.
  • International discussions on nuclear disarmament and the necessity of averting its use in the future were sparked by Nagasaki Day.
  • The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty was drafted in 1968 as a result of the events in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. 
In conclusion, Nagasaki Day serves as a reminder of the tragic effects of nuclear weapons and the need to stop their use. The day also highlights the importance of efforts and measures on national and international levels to avoid such mishaps in the future.

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