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In 1947, the second year after Hiroshima experienced the disaster of the
world's first atomic bombing, Hiroshima held a Peace Festival in the hope
of developing it into a global-scale event to help convey Hiroshima's
desire for lasting peace to people around the world. In that year, the three-day festival started on August 5th. On the 6th, a ceremony was held in the open area that was to become Peace Memorial Park. The first Peace Declaration read by Mayor Shinzo Hamai included the
following:
Hiroshima Peace Statement--1946"This horrible weapon brought about a 'Revolution of Thought,' which has convinced us of the necessity and the value of lasting peace. That is to say, because of the atomic bomb, the people of the world have become more aware that a global war in which atomic energy would be used would lead to the end of our civilization and extinction of mankind. This revolution in thinking ought to be the basis for an absolute peace, and give rise to a new life and a new world. "What we have to do at this moment is to strive with all our might towards peace, becoming forerunners of a new civilization. Let us join together to sweep from this earth the horror of war, and to build a true peace. Let us join in renouncing war eternally, and build a plan for world peace on this earth. Under this tower of peace, we hereby make a declaration of peace."
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