Peace Declaration (1954)

Today we reach the ninth anniversary of the tragic explosion of the A-bomb.

The bomb dropped on that day not only instantly took the lives of more than 200,000 of our citizens, but left effects that still threaten the lives of survivors in Hiroshima.

Furthermore, a yet more formidable weapon, the hydrogen bomb, has now appeared on the earth. Consequently the future of human beings is threatened and they face the possibility of self-extinction.

Was there ever a more menacing threat than this in human history?

We, the citizens of Hiroshima, cannot remain idle spectators of our own tragedy. We warn human beings that this tragedy must never be repeated again. We make a strong appeal for the total abolition of war and for the proper control of nuclear energy throughout the world.

As we work for peace, we offer a tribute of devout prayer to the souls of the A-bomb victims with determination to the establishment of peace.

August 6, 1954

Shinzo Hamai
Mayor of Hiroshima City
President of Hiroshima Peace Memorial Service Committee