The community is invited to attend ‘Lights for Peace’ 7 p.m. Thursday at Ashley Pond. Courtesy/NHP
NHP News:
Manhattan Project National Historical Park (NHP), in partnership with Pearl Harbor National Memorial (NM), will host “Days of Peace and Remembrance” across its three sites and at Pearl Harbor National Memorial to commemorate and reflect on the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Japan in 1945.
This commemorative programming acknowledges and interprets the conflicting viewpoints, both historical and modern, that surround the development and use of the world’s first atomic weapons. These events provide an opportunity for somber, quiet reflection.
The Los Alamos site will host a Lights for Peace event at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7 at Ashley Pond. Luminarias with messages of peace from the public will be displayed along a path participants are encouraged to walk for a quiet, contemplative experience.
Other Manhattan Project NHP sites and Pearl Harbor NM will host similar community events to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the bombings:
Aug. 6 (Oak Ridge) – The Oak Ridge, Tenn. site will host a sunrise bell ringing ceremony at dawn (6:47 a.m. EDT) to commemorate the anniversary of the atomic bombing in Hiroshima, Japan. This event will take place at the International Friendship Bell in AK Bissell Park and features music from an Oak Ridge Civic Music Association quartet. Members of the public are invited to ring the International Friendship Bell.
Aug. 8 (Honolulu) – Pearl Harbor NM, in Honolulu (Pearl Harbor), Hawaii, will host a Lights for Peace event at 5 p.m. HAST.
Aug. 9 (Hanford) – The Hanford, Wash., site will host a Lights for Peace event at 8 p.m. PDT. at the Fingernail Stage in Howard Amon Park in Richland. The program will feature music from the Mid-Columbia Mastersingers, a guest speaker, and an opportunity to ring a peace bell. Luminarias with messages of peace from the public will be displayed along a path that participants are encouraged to walk for a quiet, contemplative experience.
All Days of Peace and Remembrance events are free, and reservations are not required.
Virtual Events – For those unable to attend the August event, a virtual bell ringing is available from 6 a.m. EDT on Aug. 6 through 11:59 p.m. PDT on Aug. 9. A virtual “Lights for Peace” is available year-round.
For more information, visit the Reflection & Remembrance page on the Manhattan Project National Historical Park website.