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80th anniversary of Hiroshima - 26th August 2025

There were events for the 80th anniversary of the atomic bomb in Hiroshima on 6th August. Three days later, a second bomb destroyed Nagasaki. Across the two cities, 150,000 people were killed.

Japan stopped fighting the Second World War on 15th August 1945. Some people agree with the bombs. They think that they made the war end sooner and with fewer deaths. But other people disagree. They think that using atomic bombs is a war crime.

Radiation from the bombs has caused a further 100,000 deaths over the years. Those people who are still alive have had many health issues. The bombs remind us of the danger of nuclear war.

The ceremony in Hiroshima was followed by a walk to the Motoyasu River. Lanterns were placed on the water. They had messages for the living and the dead. Musician Jasmine Smith, who's from Hawaii, talked about her hopes for the future.

Jasmine Smith: "My wish would kind of just be, you know, we are the younger generation and we are the ones who are gonna be taking care of this world as it goes on. So my hope is that we as a generation can kind of fix everything that's come before us and restore that peace that everyone is gathering today for."

In his speech, Hiroshima Mayor, Kazumi Matsui told countries to give up their nuclear bombs. He also wants the younger generation to know how dangerous they are. For Jakub Dziadkiewicz, a student from Poland, this is a strong message.

Jakub Dziadkiewicz: "Yes it is - that's a powerful message, what's been happening here eighty years ago. And millions of deaths should remind us that there shouldn't be war. And I just wish for peace, not only for these places, but everywhere else."