On 6 August 1945 an atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. A second hydrogen was bomb was dropped on Nagasaki on 9 August 1945. Over 200,000 people were killed in the two bombings, largely civilians.

Today The Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councillor Sue Cooley will lead a solemn ceremony on Wednesday 6 August to mark the 69th anniversary of the bombings.

The service will begin at 10.30am in Lincoln Square, Brazennose Street, and include the reading of the The Hiroshima and Nagasaki 2010 Peace Deceleration as well as poetry readings by the ‘hibakuska’, survivors of the bombings.

At 11am a two minute silence will mark the anniversary, 11.02am is the exact time of the Nagasaki bombing. The silence will offer time to remember all civilians killed in conflict, which is approximately 23 million since August 1965.

The ceremony is open to the public and members of local peace and faith groups will also be in attendance.

Lord Mayor of Manchester Councillor Sue Cooley, said: “It is incredibly important we remember and honour all those who lost their lives in the horrific bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and although it is an honour to be leading the ceremony this is an incredibly sad anniversary.

“The ceremony will allow us all to reflect on the very real human cost of conflict across the world and remember all the men, women and children that have senselessly lost their lives.

“Manchester is proud of its involvement with the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and it will be a privilege to stand shoulder to shoulder with them on this sombre day.”

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