Nagasaki’s Twin Bells Ring Together After 80 Years, Marking Bombing Anniversary
In Nagasaki, Japan, the twin cathedral bells of Immaculate Conception cathedral rang in unison for the first time in 80 years on Saturday, marking the anniversary of the atomic bombing that devastated the city. This moment of remembrance, held at 11:02 am, the exact time of the bomb’s detonation, included a renewed bell constructed with funds from U.S. churchgoers after the original was damaged. The ceremony emphasized peace, with Nagasaki’s mayor urging the world to halt armed conflicts, highlighting the ongoing threat of nuclear war and the importance of remembering the victims and the city’s history. The event, spearheaded by an American professor whose grandfather worked on the Manhattan Project, symbolized unity, with nearly 100 countries participating, and was a powerful testament to the resilience of the community.
John Q. Hosedrinker