This document summarizes the history of commemorations in Hiroshima after the atomic bombing. It describes how:
- The first anniversary in 1946 included a "Peace Restoration Festival" and moment of silence.
- The second anniversary in 1947 was declared an official city holiday, and included peace ceremonies, a memorial service, and a peace festival with costumes and floats to revive the economy.
- In 1947, General MacArthur sent a note warning of the threat of nuclear annihilation. The Emperor also visited Hiroshima that year.
- By the third anniversary in 1948, Mayor Hamai's message to never allow another Hiroshima was inscribed on the new Peace Tower.
5. First anniversary—Aug. 5-6, 1946
A “Peace Restoration Festival”
A “Hiroshima Citizens' Rally” for the Restoration
of Peace was held on August 5 at what had
previously been the Gokoku Shrine. Exactly at
8:15 on August 6, sirens were sounded all over the
city. Streetcars, buses and people all stopped
moving and those in offices stood, leaving their
pens and abacuses on their desks, and paid silent
tribute to the victims for one minute.
7. Second Anniversary—Aug. 6, 1947
April, 1947 - First Post-War Election: Shinso Hamai was
elected mayor by popular vote.
Mayor Hamai established the Hiroshima Peace Festival
Association (Mayor’s Office, Chamber of Commerce, NHK
Hiroshima) and decided to hold a Peace Festival on August
6 every year to demonstrate the “Spirit of Hiroshima.”
(The generic name of this ceremony had been the 'Peace
Memorial Ceremony' since 1965. However, its name was
changed to the 'Ceremony to Pray for Peace' in 1968 and
again to the 'Peace Memorial Ceremony' in 1975.
8. Second Anniversary—Aug. 6, 1947
City declared August 6 declared an official holiday
Two main events: 1) Peace Ceremony and Memorial Service
2) Peace Festival plus side-events
Mayor rang Peace Bell brought from Etajima Naval
Academy and read Peace Declaration
Camphor trees planted; doves released
Peace Festival sponsored costume parade, floats, stages for
song and dance (Chamber of Commerce wanted a festive
atmosphere to revive economy)
10. Note from Gen. MacArthur
Aug 6, 1947
“The atomic bomb has given a new meaning to
war. The suffering of Hiroshima serves as a
warning to all people everywhere. That is to say,
a warning that the ability to harness the power of
nature for war will quickly develop until we have
the power to annihilate humankind and destroy
all its structures. Please God, do not let us
ignore this warning.”
12. Third anniversary—Aug. 6, 1948
Mayor Hamai’s Peace Declaration: 'We
pray in sincerity that there may never be
another Hiroshima in any part of the
world,” written on the Peace Tower in huge
letters.
