Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Anniversary

What Is the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Anniversary?

Every August 9th is the "Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Anniversary" (Nagasaki Genbaku Ki). At 11:02 a.m. on August 9, 1945, the U.S. B-29 bomber "Bockscar" dropped "Fat Man," a plutonium atomic bomb, which exploded about 500 meters above the Matsuyama district of Nagasaki. It was the second atomic bombing in history, after Hiroshima. Of Nagasaki's estimated population of about 240,000, some 74,000 people are said to have died by the end of that year. Nagasaki City marks the day as "Nagasaki Peace Day," a day to pray for the victims and renew the wish that Nagasaki be the last place ever to suffer an atomic bombing.

What Happened on August 9, 1945

The bombing of Nagasaki came about through a chain of chance events.

• The primary target was Kokura: The day's primary target was the city of Kokura in Fukuoka Prefecture (now part of Kitakyushu), but smoke and haze prevented a visual sighting, so the mission switched to its secondary target, Nagasaki.
• Damage in the Urakami district: The bomb exploded over the Urakami district, north of the city center. About 500 meters from the hypocenter stood Urakami Cathedral, once called the largest in East Asia, which collapsed.
• Damage to the city: About 36% of the buildings in Nagasaki are said to have burned down or been destroyed or damaged.

Damage from Blast, Heat, and Radiation

The damage caused by the atomic bomb was not limited to the powerful blast and heat rays.

• Late effects of radiation: People exposed to heavy radiation suffered acute symptoms, and many later faced health effects such as leukemia and cancer that appeared over many years.
• "Black rain": Rain containing radioactive material fell in some areas after the explosion, reportedly affecting people who had escaped direct exposure.

Things to Know About the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Anniversary

• The Peace Statue: Created by Nagasaki-born sculptor Kitamura Seibō and completed in 1955, the 10th anniversary of the bombing, the statue stands about 9.7 meters tall. The right hand pointing to the sky represents the threat of the atomic bomb, the left hand extended horizontally represents peace, and the gently closed eyes represent prayers for the souls of the victims.
• The 11:02 moment of silence: At the Nagasaki Peace Memorial Ceremony held in Peace Park, bells and sirens sound at 11:02 a.m., the moment of the explosion, followed by a minute of silence. The Mayor of Nagasaki then customarily reads the "Nagasaki Peace Declaration."
• The One-Legged Torii: The second torii gate of Sannō Shrine lost one pillar and half of its top beam to the blast, yet still stands on a single pillar today -- one of the remains that convey what happened.
• Dr. Nagai Takashi and "The Bells of Nagasaki": Radiology researcher Dr. Nagai Takashi was himself exposed to the bomb but went on treating the injured. His account, "The Bells of Nagasaki," was widely read and inspired a song of the same name.
• Double survivors: Some people were exposed in Hiroshima, returned home to Nagasaki, and were exposed again. One of them, Yamaguchi Tsutomu, was officially recognized as a double survivor in 2009.

How to Observe the Day

• Pause for a silent prayer at 11:02 a.m. on August 9th, wherever you are
• Read one testimony or memoir by an atomic bomb survivor
• Explore records from the time, for example on the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum website
• Watch a broadcast of the Peace Memorial Ceremony and listen to the Peace Declaration

Turning the Memory of the Flash into a Prayer for Peace

August 9th is a day to learn what happened in Nagasaki and to hope that it never happens again. The One-Legged Torii and the Peace Statue still quietly tell the story of that day. At 11:02 a.m., take just one minute to pause and think of Nagasaki.