Mayor's Speech (1951)

A Milepost Towards The Achievement Of Peace

On this day, six years ago, our city was reduced to ashes in one instant, and the precious lives of more than two hundred thousand of our citizens were lost. This indescribable war damage indicates to us the danger for mankind of war and teaches us strongly that we should not spare any effort to realize everlasting peace. We are firmly determined that, ever mindful of the deep implications of that experience, we will work with all possible efforts, with the future generation in mind, toward the realization of the goal of peace.

August 6, itself is the day on which we build a milepost on the broad way to the achievement of everlasting peace. Whenever we, the citizens of Hiroshima, greet the return of another August 6, we should remember the past. We should also, however, make a fresh determination to proceed step by step to the establishment of the great ideal of the future. Today, on the occasion of this ceremony, we pray for the repose of the souls of the victims of the atomic bomb and offer our renewed vow for peace. We, three hundred thousand citizens here together, firmly pledge ourselves to build Hiroshima into a City of Peace.

August 6, 1951

Shinzo Hamai
Mayor
The City of Hiroshima