Survivors Mark 80 Years Since Hiroshima, Nagasaki

On the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, survivors—now mostly in their 80s and 90s—are urgently working to preserve their firsthand accounts as time threatens to erase their voices. Memorial ceremonies were held in both cities, honoring the estimated 140,000 killed in Hiroshima and 70,000 in Nagasaki, and reinforcing calls for global nuclear disarmament. Efforts are underway to digitize survivor testimonies and share them on social media to ensure their experiences reach younger generations. While debate continues over the bombings' justification, with some arguing they ended World War II and saved lives, survivors insist nuclear weapons must never be used again. The bombings remain the only wartime use of nuclear arms, though over 2,500 nuclear tests have since occurred worldwide. The drive to preserve survivors’ stories reflects growing concern over nuclear proliferation and the risk of future devastation.