August 6 — World Day for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons: history and traditions

Every year on August 6, the world community celebrates Hiroshima Day, also known as World Day for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. In 2025, the memorable date falls on Wednesday. Read the Izvestia article about why it is a reminder of the need for global nuclear disarmament, as it is celebrated in Russia and the world.

World Day for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in 2025 — history

On this day, the international community remembers the victims of the atomic bombing that took place on August 6, 1945. At 8:15 a.m., an American Boeing B-29 Bockscar bomber dropped an atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. The explosion instantly claimed the lives of about 70,000 people, and by the end of the year, the death toll reached 140,000 due to the effects of radiation exposure and injuries.

The bombing of Hiroshima and the subsequent atomic attack on Nagasaki became the first and only cases of the military use of nuclear weapons, forever changing mankind's understanding of the possible scale and catastrophic consequences of using a "non-peaceful" atom.​

In 2025, the mournful date marks its 80th anniversary. Interestingly, on the eve of the anniversary, the American newspaper The New York Times (NYT) called the nuclear strike on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 "saving hundreds of thousands of lives." The title was later changed.

World Day for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in 2025 — goals and objectives

The main purpose of the commemorative date is to remind of the danger of nuclear testing for humanity and the environment, as well as to strengthen international efforts to completely ban such weapons.

Hiroshima Day is actively supported by various international organizations, including the United Nations.

Today, there are more than 12.5 thousand nuclear weapons in the world, which pose a serious threat to global security. Most countries with such weapons continue to modernize their nuclear arsenals, which creates the risk of a new arms race and increases the likelihood of nuclear incidents.

Civil society and non-governmental organizations, such as the International Campaign for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), play an important role in promoting the ideas of nuclear disarmament. They are actively working to promote disarmament initiatives in the international arena.

World Day for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in 2025 — traditions

On August 6, many events are held around the world aimed at drawing attention to this problem. International and national organizations discuss issues of security and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction on their platforms.

Peaceful actions and demonstrations are taking place in many countries, the purpose of which is to call on Governments to sign and ratify international nuclear test ban agreements. Universities and schools organize lectures, exhibitions, and documentaries on the history of nuclear testing and its consequences.

The media publishes thematic articles, interviews and reports aimed at informing the public about the importance of nuclear disarmament and promoting peace.

The largest events are held in Japan. Commemorative ceremonies and peace actions aimed at calling for a total ban on nuclear weapons are being held in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

In Hiroshima, they are held on a specially preserved plot of land, the Peace Park, where they did not restore the destroyed buildings and ruins, preserving them as a reminder of the tragedy. The ceremony includes a minute of silence, the launching of flocks of pigeons into the sky and the ringing of the memorial bell located next to the Memorial Museum. It is decorated with the inscription: "Let everyone passing by ring the bell, so that it always reminds us of the threat of atomic war."

Earlier, Izvestia told how the Russian Federation celebrates the Day of Remembrance of Russian Soldiers who died in the First World War.