Hiroshima Day 2026
Date/Time
Date(s) - 06/08/2026
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location
Coventry Cathedral
Categories
The 2026 Hiroshima Remembrance Service will be held in Coventry Cathedral from 18:00 to 19:00 on 6 August.
Hiroshima 1946. Photo from US National Archives
On 6th August 1945 during the second world war, the first atomic bomb was dropped by the USA on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. Three days later, on 9th August 1945, another was dropped on Nagasaki. These aerial bombings killed 150,000 to 246,000 people, most of whom were civilians. It also led to the announcement of the surrender of Japan on 15 August.
Many more died in the years afterwards due to radiation poisoning from the bombs.
Since the end of World War II, Japan has consistently followed the path of a peace-loving nation, and has been achieving peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and the international community. Japan’s security policy is grounded on this path. See the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan for more details.
Coventry has known the suffering of civilians killed in war and, since being bombed, has tried to hold on to the message of peace and reconciliation.
Coventry Cathedral and the Lord Mayor of Coventry’s Committee for Peace and Reconciliation commemorate Hiroshima Day each year, as the threat of global conflict is always present while the proliferation of nuclear weapons continues.
This year’s speaker is Sophie Bolt, General Secretary of CND.
A representative of the Japanese Embassy and the Mayor of Coventry will exchange letters and the Deputy Lord Lieutenant, Mr Dave Moorcroft, will deliver a message.
Japanese Taiko drumming will take place before and throughout the service.
Pupils from Coventry schools will tell ‘Sadako’s Story’.
There will be an opportunity to make paper cranes of peace.