In 1945, on August 6 and again on August 9, atomic bombs were detonated over Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan – reducing the cities to ruin. An estimated 200,000 people tragically died by the end of that year – either instantly or subsequently from the aftereffects of radiation.
The catastrophic atomic bombing of both cities, which effectively ended the war, heralded new beginnings for individuals and nations. The occupation by Japan of The Philippines, China, Korea, Singapore, Guam and other Pacific islands, (the then) Malaya and Dutch East Indies and Burma ended, and from it sprang popular and political drives for independence from pre-war imperialism and colonisation.
The Australian National Maritime Museum is commemorating the 80th anniversary as part of The World Remade program with a series of activities.
The Bomb and its aftermath
Twenty-one days after the first successful detonation in the desert at Los Alamos, New Mexico, USA, an atomic bomb was detonated over Hiroshima, Japan on 6 August 1945, and three days later over Nagasaki. What brought World War II to an end, ended an estimated 160,000 - 240,000 lives and changed our world.
We are honoured to display three artefacts on loan from the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, and to tell the stories of their young owners on that terrible day. This project is supported by the museum's USA Bicentennial Gift Fund.
In Conversation with Keiko Ogura - Hiroshima survivor talk - Talk by Keiko Ogura, a Hiroshima atomic bomb survivor, will be held at the museum on Sunday August 17.
Ms Ogura was eight years when the bomb was detonated near her home, around 2.4 kilometres from the centre of the blast. In 1984, she established Hiroshima Interpreters for Peace (HIP), and by interpreting for foreign researchers and journalists who visit Hiroshima, she has worked to communicate the reality of the atomic bombing to the world.
Paper Crane workshop
To tie in with Keiko Ogura’s visit, on Sunday August 17 between
12pm – 2pm, there will be an origami paper crane workshop held in the Tasman Light Gallery, where the Japan Club of Sydney will be teaching people of all ages how to make a paper crane, a symbol of peace made famous through the story of Sadako Sasaki and the thousand paper planes.
WWII Trail
Follow a trail through the museum and our fleet highlighting artefacts and stories from WWII including the bell from the United States Navy ship with an Australian name, a naval Bofors gun and MV Krait.
Key dates
- Hiroshima Bombing August 6
- Nagasaki bombing August 9
- Declaration of End of War in the Pacific August 15
- VP Day/ Signing on the USS Missouri September 2
ENDS
For further information or interviews please contact:
Alex Gonzalez
M: 0401 545 778
E: [email protected]
