Nagasaki Day - Nagasaki Day is Celebrated on August 9, 2023

By : Neha Dhyani

Updated : Aug 8, 2023, 17:16

Nagasaki Day, the anniversary of the bombing of Nagasaki on August 9, 1945, is observed every year in remembrance of the 74,000 - 80,000 people who were killed instantly or later from injuries related to the atomic bomb dropped by the United States. 2023 will mark the 78th Anniversary of Nagasaki Day.

After the bombing, many survivors developed illnesses like cancer due to radiation exposure. Nagasaki Day is being commemorated across the globe to facilitate peace and create awareness about the risk of nuclear weapons. Also known as Hiroshima Nagasaki Day, it plays a critical role as it concentrates on anti-war and anti-nuclear protests in many countries.

Nagasaki Day

Significance of Nagasaki Day

An Atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, Japan, on August 9, 1945, by the United States after Japan had refused to surrender during World War II. The next attack was three days after the first atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima in the hope that this would force them to surrender.

Nagasaki Day is a day to remember this terrible event's victims and call for peace and an end to nuclear weapons.

Hiroshima Nagasaki Day

The United States blasted two atomic bombs, one after the other, over the cities of Japan, including Hiroshima and Nagasaki, on 6 then on August 9, 1945, respectively. The two bombings killed approximately 129,000 and 226,000 people.

  • Most people were civilians and knew that using nuclear weapons was only during armed conflict.
  • Hiroshima city was the main aim of the first atomic bombing mission on August 6, with Nagasaki and Kokura as alternative targets.
  • The bombing of Nagasaki was the second responsibility tasked to Tibbets.
  • During World War II, Americans used bombs to attack Hiroshima (August 6, 1945) and Nagasaki (August 9, 1945), which observed the first atomic weapons usage in battle.
  • The bomb dropped on Nagasaki had the code-name 'Fat Man'.

History of Nagasaki Day

Nagasaki was one of the largest cities in Japan and was an important seaport for trade between Japan and Portugal.

  • It was also an industrial center with shipyards, munitions works, and an arsenal during World War II.
  • In 1944, it became a major base for the Imperial Japanese Navy.
  • The United States threw an atomic bomb, nicknamed "Little Boy," on August 6, 1945, in Hiroshima.
  • On August 8, President Truman warned Japan that if they did not surrender unconditionally, they would face "a rain of ruin from the air".
  • When Japan gave no response by August 9, orders were given for another atomic bomb to be dropped on Nagasaki. This time it was nicknamed "Fat Man".
  • Approximately 40,000 people were instantly killed when the bomb dropped at 11:02 a.m.
  • Another 40,000 were injured, and another 25,000 died later from their injuries or radiation exposure.
  • Three days after the explosion at Nagasaki, Japan announced its surrender to the Allies. World War II ended officially on September 2, 1945.

After Effects of Nagasaki Bombing

The United States dropped two atomic bombs on Japan during World War II. The damage they caused was immense and left an enduring legacy of radiation sickness, cancer, congenital disabilities, and death among those who survived.

  • Tens of thousands of people are still seeking compensation for their suffering and loss. But despite decades of massive efforts to seek reparations from the U.S., only a small proportion have received any money.
  • In 1995, a law was introduced in Japan to provide medical care for survivors and their relatives and "a sense of justice" for the victims.
  • But those who have received compensation say it's inadequate for their needs. Many are poor and live in areas where jobs are scarce.
  • Despite their sacrifice in the war against America, some feel abandoned by their government. Others suffer from diseases not covered by the law at all.
  • Nagasaki Day commemorates the bombing of Nagasaki on August 9, 1945.
  • This day is meant to remind everyone of the consequences of such an act that people are facing even today, decades later.
  • Nagasaki Day is also intended to remind all people how important it is to keep working towards world peace and not repeat the mistakes made in the past.

☛ Also, Get Today's Current Affairs PDF

More Current Affairs Topics

Bank Holidays in Himachal Pradesh

Bank Holidays in Jammu and Kashmir

China's New Land Boundary Law

Coastal Vulnerability Index [CVI]

Cryptocurrency

Currency Chest

Criminalization of Politics

CSR UPSC

Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha

Earth Overshoot Day

Nagasaki Day - Details about Atomic Bombs

The bomb was a uranium bomb. It yielded equal to 15,000 tonnes of Trinitrotoluene or TNT, which is explosive, when it got dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. A slightly larger plutonium bomb exploded over Nagasaki just two days later, on August 9.

  • The second bomb demolished 6.7 km square of the city and killed around 74,000 people by 1945.
  • The ground temperature reached 4,000 degrees Celsius, and rain containing radioactive elements flowed.
  • Most of the nurse's physicians in Nagasaki were injured or killed; several hospitals became non-functional.
  • A bunch of people suffered from mixed injuries and intense burns.
  • The spread of Leukaemia was seen after five to six years of the bombing, along with the rise of several other diseases like thyroid, lung, and other cancers, at a fast rate.
  • The weight of the Fat Man bomb was nearly 10,000 pounds and was built to produce a 22-kiloton blast.

Nagasaki Day Poster

The Nagasaki Day Poster features an image of ground zero in Hiroshima. At the end of World War - II, the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, and Nagasaki on August 9, 1945.

Nagasaki Day Speech In English

Nagasaki Day Speech In English was given by Nagasaki mayor Tomihisa Taue. During his speech at the Nagasaki Peace Park, he advised Russia, Japan, and the United States to make efforts to eliminate nuclear weapons. He suggested Japan lead the situation and form a nuclear-free zone in Northeast Asia.

FAQs on Nagasaki Day

Q.1. When is Nagasaki Day observed?

Nagasaki Day is observed annually on August 9 in Nagasaki and throughout Japan. It is also commonly known as Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Anniversary. The day lets us encourage to promote politics in peace and raise awareness of the effects of the bomb attack on Nagasaki that killed thousands of life instantly.

Q.2. What was the name of the bomb dropped on Nagasaki, which is remembered on Nagasaki Day?

US B029 bomber Bockscar dropped a 4.5-ton plutonium bomb on Nagasaki named Fat Man, which is remembered on Nagasaki Day. The hills around the city experienced less destruction, but an estimated 60,000 to 80,000 innocent people lost their lives because of the bombing.

Q.3. What is the history behind Nagasaki Day?

The history behind Nagasaki Day is that On August 9, 1945, a B-29 bomber dropped an atomic bomb on Nagasaki. The bomb was named "Fat Man." It burst at 1650 feet above the city with force equivalent to 20 kilotons of TNT. The bomb was dropped at 11:02 a.m., three days after another U.S. plane had unleashed an atomic weapon on the city of Hiroshima.

Q.4. What does Nagasaki Day signify?

Nagasaki Day is a day to remember the victims of the atomic bombing and to call for peace and an end to nuclear weapons. The anniversary of the Nagasaki bombing, which occurred on August 9, 1945, is observed every year on Nagasaki Day. It marks the remembrance of the 74,000 - 80,000 people killed due to the atomic bombing attacks.

Q.5. On Nagasaki Day, the deaths of how many are remembered?

The bomb attack killed roughly 70,000 to 135,000 people in Hiroshima, and 60,000 to 80,000 people died in Nagasaki. Their deaths are due to acute exposure to the blasts and long-term side effects of radiation.

Q6. Why are Hiroshima and Nagasaki Day celebrated?

Nagasaki Day is observed on August 9 annually to motivate peaceful government and expand awareness of the consequences of the bomb invasion of Nagasaki. The nuclear attack occurred in 1945 with an atomic bomb on August 6 in the city of Hiroshima and later on August 9 in Nagasaki.