On 6 August 1945, the US dropped an atomic bomb called "Little Boy" on Hiroshima in Japan. Three days later a second atomic bomb called "Fat Man" was dropped on the city of Nagasaki.
The firestorm in Hiroshima destroyed five square miles of the city. Almost 63% of the buildings in Hiroshima were destroyed after the bombing and nearly 92% of the structures in the city were destroyed or damaged by blast and fire.
Estimates of total deaths in Hiroshima range from 100,000 to 180,000, out of a population of 350,000. Casualties from Nagasaki are thought to be between 50,000 and 100,000. By 1950, over 340,000 people had died as a result and generations were poisoned by radiation.
The event will start in the Living Worlds Gallery in Manchester Museum at 11am where a piece of melted glass from the Hiroshima attack is on display along with hundreds of paper cranes, the symbol of peace that came out of the attack. We will then move upstairs for readings, poetry and some choir singing.
There will be a series of readings at the event including Hiroshima and children's peace poetry. The Lord Mayor of Manchester will also be in attendance to lay a wreath for all innocent civilians of war and conflict.
Three days later, on Sunday 9th August from 2pm at Heaton Park, we will also be commemorating the bombing of Nagasaki. More information to be announced soon, but please put the date in your diaries.
When: Thursday 6th August 2026 11am- 12pm
Where: Manchester Museum Living Worlds Gallery and Top Floor Classroom
Manchester Museum, University of Manchester
Oxford Road
Manchester, M13 9PL
United Kingdom
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Events Information
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