The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 5th July 2023 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

The lessons of Hiroshima must not drift away

Why in News?

Hiroshima Day is observed worldwide on August 6 it marks the anniversary of nuclear attacks on Japanese city.

Hiroshima Day 2023

• On August 6, people around the world mark Hiroshima Day. The purpose of the day, which commemorates the anniversary of the World War II nuclear assaults on the Japanese city of Hiroshima, is to increase public awareness of the catastrophic consequences of nuclear weapons. Hiroshima Day also honours those who perished in the attack and those who were left behind to endure decades of suffering.

What is Hiroshima Day?

• Hiroshima Day is marked annually on 6 August to raise awareness of the tragic consequences of atomic bomb blasts and to advance peace politics. On this date in 1945, the US launched an atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima during World War II. Massive nuclear explosion that left thousands dead and 90% of the city destroyed. Between 70,000 and 126,000 civilians and roughly 20,000 military were slain. Three days later, a bombing in Nagasaki, another city in Japan, killed 80,000 people. This was the first conflict other than a test when a nuclear bomb was used. Since that time, no war has employed atom or nuclear weapons. On July 6, 2022, the 77th anniversary of the murders will occur.

Hiroshima Day 2023 History

• After Germany submitted to the Allied forces in May 1945, the Second World War was carried out throughout Asia. The Allies and imperial Japan kept up the battle. According to the United States, using the nuclear bomb was the only option to save millions of American casualties in Japan. The United States produced two atom bombs as part of the Manhattan Project. Little Boy, the name of the first atomic weapon, and Fat Man, the name of the second.
• Both Little Boy and Fat Man were dropped on  Hiroshima and Nagasaki, respectively. The American B-29 bomber “Little Boy” dropped on Nagasaki on August 6, 1945, on a beautiful morning, killing thousands of soldiers and civilians. The ‘Fat Man’ bomb dropped on Nagasaki exactly three days later killed a further 40,000 people. According to explanations, if the Allied forces had attacked Japan, more lives would have been lost.
• On August 15, 1945, Hiroshima and Nagasaki were bombed, officially ending World War II. The survivors of the attack are referred to as “Hibakusha” in Japan, which is Japanese for “explosion-affected people.” There are 650000 Hibakusha in Japan who have government recognition.

Hiroshima Day 2023 Series of Events

• After Germany submitted on May 8, 1945, the war in Europe was over. However, the Allies and Japan continued to fight each other in the Pacific. At the Potsdam Declaration in July 1945, the Allies demanded Japan’s total and unconditional surrender. However, Japan disregarded this request and proceeded to fight in the war.
• Since the 1940s, the US has been researching nuclear weapons as part of the Manhattan Project, especially after learning that Nazi Germany was also conducting such research. The project had produced two different atomic bomb types by the end of August. In order to operationalize the use of nuclear bombs in the war, the US army established a special force in 1944 called the 509th Composite Group.
• The ‘Target Committee’ chose Hiroshima and Nagasaki from a short list of five targets because of their significance and presence of military and industrial installations. On July 25th, the atomic bombs were ordered to be dropped on Japanese cities. The ‘Little Boy’ was dropped on Hiroshima on August 6 by a B-29 (US army aircraft). The atomic bomb unleashed on Hiroshima was a uranium gun-type bomb, and its codename was Little Boy.

Hiroshima Day 2023 Impact

• In Hiroshima, deaths ranged from 90000 to 146000. After the bombardment, the city was immediately destroyed. Following the bombing, individuals were dying from radiation sickness, burns, and other traumas. In addition, illnesses and malnutrition made things worse. Although civilians made up the majority of the deaths, some soldiers also perished.

Hiroshima Day 2023 Facts about Atomic Bombing

• Around 140,000 people are thought to have passed away by the end of 1945 as a result of radiation-related diseases and injuries.
• The Hiroshima nuclear bomb had an explosive effect equivalent to more than 15,000 tonnes of TNT.
• According to sources, the US Air Force dropped flyers warning residents of the bombing before exploding the atomic bomb over Hiroshima.
• The 1964 lighting of the Peace Flame in memory of the Hiroshima victims. The flame is still blazing and will do so until the earth is free of all nuclear weapons.
• A Japanese naval engineer named Tsutomu Yamaguchi survived the atomic explosions of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II.

Hiroshima Day 2023 Significance

• Hiroshima Day has a significant role in making people aware of anti-war and anti-nuclear demonstrations in many countries. Hiroshima Day signifies peace in politics and people on this day visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum which archives the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II.