World Reminded: Importance of Nowing Forgetting, as Per Steinmeier
In a solemn commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, events were held around the world, with a significant focus on remembrance, peace, and calls for nuclear disarmament.
The events in Germany, open to the public and encouraging widespread participation, were a poignant reminder of the devastating consequences of nuclear weapons use. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, among others, participated in these events, remembering the human suffering that resulted from the bombings.
On August 6 and 9, 1945, American forces dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, instantly killing tens of thousands of people. The aftermath claimed many more lives, with most of the deaths being civilians. The bombings destroyed these cities almost completely.
The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony, held on August 6, was attended by survivors, families, international dignitaries, and approximately 55,000 participants. The UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Izumi Nakamitsu, delivered a message on behalf of UN Secretary-General António Guterres, emphasizing the moral force of the survivors' testimonies and calling for nuclear weapons eradication to safeguard peace for future generations.
The Nagasaki Memorial Ceremony, held on August 9, featured solemn memorials, including the ringing of twin cathedral bells in unison for the first time since 1945 and a moment of silence at 11:02 Japan time, corresponding to the moment the bomb was dropped. The mayor of Nagasaki appealed for the end of current wars worldwide, linking past devastation with ongoing global conflict and urging immediate peace.
The United Nations reinforced the necessity of real change to eliminate nuclear threats, commemorating the anniversaries with calls to honor survivors' testimonies and pursue disarmament. The global attendance and messages reflected widespread acknowledgment of the bombings’ lasting impact.
However, public opinion, particularly in the United States, shows a divided view. A 2025 Pew Research Center survey found that only 35% of Americans now consider the bombings justified, 31% reject justification, and a substantial 34% are uncertain, indicating evolving perceptions of the historical events as they reach the 80-year milestone.
Steinmeier continues to call for the prevention of nuclear weapons being used again, his calls for decisive action rooted in current nuclear threats. The events in Germany are part of the global commemoration of the 80th anniversary, serving as a call for global action towards nuclear disarmament. The events are not limited to one city or region, but rather, they echo a universal plea for peace and disarmament.
These were the only times nuclear weapons have been used. As we remember the past, let us strive to learn from it and work towards a future free of nuclear threats.
The events in Germany, aligned with the global commemoration of the 80th anniversary, echoed a universal plea for peace and disarmament, following the devastating consequences of war-and-conflicts such as the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier's calls for decisive action against nuclear threats and the pursuit of nuclear disarmament were a key part of these events, highlighting the need for politics to address such pressing general-news matters.
