Hiroshima Day 2025: Date, history, significance — all you need to know
The bombing had been carried out by the B-29 bomber Enola Gay, nicknamed 'Little Boy', which exploded about 600 metres above Hiroshima, releasing an intense blast wave, high temperatures and lethal radiation, fatally killing an estimated 70,000-80,000 people instantly and about tens of thousands more dying from injuries and radiation exposure.
#VIDEO | On this day in 1945, an atomic bomb was unleashed on Hiroshima. Almost 60 per cent of the town was destroyed. Many lost their lives and those who survived, suffered long-term effects.
The US called the bomb 'Little Boy'.
Know more: https://t.co/2sRHrQZcDB, pic.twitter.com/FjDZhS81pn
— The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) August 6, 2018
The city's infrastructure was destroyed, and survivors, known as Hibakusha, experienced long-term health problems and significant psychological trauma.
This year, in 2025, the day will mark its 80th anniversary and will be observed on Wednesday, August 8 with this anniversary considered the last milestone event for many of them, as the number of survivors is rapidly declining, and their average age is now exceeding 86.
The themes and messages of Hiroshima Day 2025 underscore the urgent necessity for the abolition of nuclear weapons and a worldwide dedication to peace.
The day honours the lives lost, in addition to, serving as a reminder of the horrific human and environmental costs of nuclear warfare.
Hiroshima Day is marked by ceremonies and events to remember the victims and promote peace and nuclear disarmament, with events such as peace marches, educational seminars, and memorial services held to engage communities worldwide in a shared commitment to nuclear disarmament and the promotion of global peace.
Through these activities, Hiroshima Day reinforces the importance of remembering the past to build a safer and more just world for future generations.
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Indian Express
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‘God answered my prayers…': 28-day wait later, businessman gets back his tanker stuck on broken Vadodara bridge
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News18
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UKs Imperial War Museum collects Indian stories from World War II
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News18
17 hours ago
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Why The Atom Bombs Dropped On Japan Were Named 'Little Boy' And 'Fat Man'
Last Updated: "Little Boy" used uranium-235 and had a slim, 10-foot design, long like a car but thin and "cute." In contrast, "Fat Man" was a much wider, heavier plutonium-based bomb On August 6, 1945, during the Second World War, the atomic bomb was first dropped on Hiroshima. Two days later, another bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, resulting in horrific devastation. Thousands of people died, and houses were destroyed, leaving everything scorched. The two atomic bombs used by America were named 'Little Boy" and 'Fat Man." The naming of these bombs has intrigued many over the years. 'Little Boy" was a uranium-235 based bomb, with a relatively simple and thin design. It measured about 10 feet long and 28 inches in diameter, making it similar in length to a car but extremely thin. It was considered small and 'cute" compared to other designs. In contrast, 'Fat Man" was much wider and heavier. This plutonium-239 based atomic bomb had a more complex and heavier design than 'Little Boy." It was round and wide, about 5 feet in diameter and 10.6 feet long, weighing approximately 10,300 pounds. The Tradition Of Using Codenames Codenames for weapons were commonly used in the Manhattan Project to maintain secrecy. Names like 'Little Boy" and 'Fat Man" were simple, non-technical, and easy to remember, serving more for informal conversation among scientists than for any deep philosophical or military meaning. Some historians believe that the name 'Little Boy" may have been inspired by the popular culture or humour of the time, such as characters from cartoons or movies, like the 1942 film 'The Thin Man." Were These Names Meant To Be A Joke? Scientists working on the Manhattan Project, including Robert Oppenheimer and his colleagues, often used humour to lighten their stressful work. The naming of these bombs reflects the light-hearted atmosphere amidst their confidential tasks. This was likely not a deeply symbolic name, but rather a practical, light-hearted codename, a common practice among scientists of the time. Some historians credit Robert Serber, a leading physicist in the Manhattan Project and close associate of Oppenheimer, with naming the bombs. Naming Other Bombs And Tests The US continued to name other bombs interestingly. Some bombs based on the design of 'Fat Man" were called 'Roundfish" and 'Helda." The Soviet Union named its largest bomb 'Tsar Bomba," reflecting the tradition of 'Tsars" in Russian history. Do All Bombs Have Names? Atomic bombs built during World War II were given specific names, referencing their design or project. Modern nuclear weapons typically use specific codenames or model numbers (e.g., B61, W88, AGM-114 Hellfire) based on technical or military references, rather than personal or humorous names. Examples include B61, a US nuclear bomb with various versions, and MOAB, 'Mother of All Bombs" (GBU-43/B), a powerful non-nuclear bomb named to signify its enormous power. Did The US Build Only Two Atomic Bombs? The US America had prepared the two bombs dropped on Japan in 1945, initially planning to use only these two. Historical documents indicate that America did not have a third bomb ready immediately, but the production of more bombs continued under the Manhattan Project. Cores for additional plutonium bombs were being prepared at the Los Alamos Laboratory, with estimations that another bomb could be ready by the end of August 1945 (around August 19). The US Army considered using more bombs if Japan did not surrender after the first two, with some documents suggesting additional bombs could be ready by September and October 1945 for use on other Japanese cities or strategic targets. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : atomic bomb hiroshima japan little boy manhattan project Nagasaki view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
