ON AUGUST 6 1945 an atom bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan, and a second one on Nagasaki three days later.  

The date is etched in history as an act of war so horrific that humanity hopes it will never be repeated. 

Destruction of the two Japanese cities was almost complete along with the deaths of more than 100,000 people.  

Coventry itself suffered extensive destruction during the second world war in 1940 and for 37 years it has remembered Hiroshima in a peace and reconciliation event marking the anniversary of the detonation of the atomic bomb over the city.

This year a new film with a title bearing the name of the scientist who was chiefly responsible for developing the technology, Oppenheimer, describes the events leading up to the development and deployment of the atom bomb.  

In the climate of heartless genocide of Jewish people by Hitler and his invasion of neighbouring countries, the world was at war with Germany and its ally, Japan.  

Fear and the necessity to win the war were the prime political motivation but the film also highlights other factors rooted in our human nature.

Coventry Cathedral is the venue for the annual commemorative event to promote peace and reconciliation.  

The place is evocative in that the new cathedral was built adjacent to the ruins of the old cathedral destroyed by bombing by Hitler’s Nazi forces on November 14 1940.  

From the crown of thorns made from metal from car crashes to the statue showing two human beings in an act of reconciliation, the place is full of symbolism. 

The chapel of unity, where the event is held, has beautiful mosaics celebrating the five continents of our world.

This year’s Hiroshima Day is on Sunday August 6 from 2 to 3.15pm in the chapel of unity in Coventry Cathedral with music, poetry and making paper cranes for peace. 

For more details visit coventrycityofpeace.uk.