Eighty years ago, the first atomic bombs in human history were detonated: on August 6, 1945, the first bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, followed by a second attack on Nagasaki on August 9, 1945. These remain the only instances in which nuclear weapons have ever been used. The horrifying images—captured also on film—are deeply embedded in humanity’s collective memory and have become enduring symbols of the terror of nuclear warfare and the potential annihilation of humankind.
Today, the danger of a nuclear war is greater than ever before. The nuclear powers are investing unprecedented sums in the modernization and expansion of their arsenals, and the number of deployable nuclear weapons continues to rise. In contrast, efforts toward nuclear disarmament have stagnated. Every generation has the opportunity to reshape the world anew—now, more than ever, political leaders are called upon to act with prudence, sensitivity, and determination. The foremost imperative must be to handle the foundations of life with care and to safeguard them for future generations.
Since 2006, the City of St. Pölten has been a proud member of the Hiroshima-based peace organization Mayors for Peace.
Photos: courtesy of the City of St. Pölten