Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony Date in the current year: August 6, 2024

When World War II was nearing its end, the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing over 129,000 people. The Hiroshima bombing took place on August 6, 1945. The bomb codenamed “Little Boy” was dropped by Enola Gay, a Boeing B-29 Superfortress bomber, which was piloted by Colonel Paul W. Tibbets.

The bomb detonated over Shima Surgical Clinic. The blast and resultant firestorm killed around 30% of the city's population and injured some 70,000 people. Estimated 69% of buildings were destroyed in the bombing and subsequent fires that quickly spread throughout Hiroshima.

On “A-Bomb Day”, a solemn ceremony is held in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, beginning at 8 a.m. Attendees, including the families of the deceased, gather in front of the Memorial Cenotaph. The ceremony includes addresses, dedication of flowers, a one-minute silent prayer, ringing the Peace Bell etc. In the evening, citizens float paper lanterns down the Motoyasu River to commemorate the victims of the bombing.