Manhattan Project National Historical Park Hosting Days of Peace and Remembrance in 79th Anniversary Observance of Atomic Bombings of Japan

News Release Date:
July 16, 2024

Contact:Wendy Berhman, 720-765-8046

DENVER - Manhattan Project National Historical Park, in partnership with Pearl Harbor National Memorial (NM), will host "Days of Peace and Remembrance" across its three sites and at Pearl Harbor NM to commemorate and reflect on the 79th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Japan in 1945. This commemorative programming acknowledges and interprets the conflicting viewpoints, both historical and modern, that surround the development and use of the world's first atomic weapons. These events provide an opportunity to reflect on the historical and emotional traumas of the atomic bombings. Messages of Peace programs will also be held at each of the park sites over the next three weeks.

Schedule of Events:

Oak Ridge, Tennessee

On August 6, 1945, the US Army Air Forces dropped the uranium-fueled Little Boy atomic bomb over Hiroshima in the first of only two nuclear bombings of a population in history. The Manhattan Project facility at Oak Ridge produced the uranium used in the Little Boy bomb.

On August 6, the park will host the Friendship Bell Ringing ceremony at sunrise (6:49 a.m. EDT) to commemorate the 79th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japan. The event will take place at the International Friendship Bell in Bissell Park and will feature music from an Oak Ridge Civic Music Association quartet. The ceremony will allow for somber, quiet reflection, and the public is invited to ring the bell for any reason that speaks to them. One hour before dawn, park rangers will light luminarias that have been decorated with messages of peace by community members. The luminarias will remain lit throughout the event.

For those who are unable to attend the August 6 event in person, a virtual bell ringing will be available on the park website from 6:00 a.m. EDT on August 6 through 11:59 p.m. PDT on August 9.

Honolulu (Pearl Harbor), Hawaii

On August 7, the commemoration event will begin at 6:00 p.m. HST. The public will be able to help place luminarias along the shoreline of Pearl Harbor and engage with National Park Service staff as they share stories and host activities connected to the peace and reconciliation that grew out of the harrowing reality of World War II. The public is welcome to come early and record personal messages of peace, reconciliation, and hope leading up to the evening program, which will end at 7:30 p.m. HST. For additional questions about this program, please email [email protected].

Los Alamos, New Mexico

In Los Alamos, scientists, engineers, and military officials worked together to develop the theoretical and experimental tests that created the first atomic weapons using enriched uranium from Oak Ridge and plutonium from Hanford. Uncertain the implosion method would work, officials tested this method at the Trinity Site in southern New Mexico on July 16, 1945. The Trinity test ushered in the nuclear age with the world's first human-caused nuclear explosion.

On August 8 at 6 p.m. MDT, the park will host a viewing of the documentary film Richland followed by a quiet luminaria (farolitos) viewing at 8:00 p.m. MDT in the historic Memorial Rose Garden located on the grounds of Fuller Lodge. This introspective experience focuses on providing visitors the opportunity to walk the lighted path in silence and have their own reflective experience based on their personal reasons for participating. Visit Los Alamos Lights for Peace for more information.

Hanford (Richland), Washington

On August 9, 1945, the US Army Air Forces dropped the plutonium-fueled Fat Man atomic bomb over Nagasaki in the second, and so far, the last nuclear bombing of a population. The Manhattan Project facility at Hanford produced the plutonium used in the Fat Man bomb.

On August 9 at 8:00 p.m. PDT, the park will host Lights for Peace at the Fingernail Stage in Howard Amon Park in Richland, Washington, to commemorate the 79th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, Japan. The program will feature music from the Mid-Columbia Mastersingers, a guest speaker, and an opportunity to ring a peace bell. Participants may also walk a path lit with luminarias for a quiet, contemplative experience based on their own personal reasons for participating.

Messages of Peace

The public is invited to write messages of peace on the luminaria bags available at each park site for use in these programs. The park is also accepting Messages of Peace written on white paper bags, dimensions 6" x 3-5/8" x 11" via mail, and electronically by sending the park a message at [email protected]. Visit Messages of Peace for more information about these programs and how to participate. The park's Reflection and Remembrance webpage has more information about all these events and articles for additional learning on the many complex legacies of the Manhattan Project.

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