At 8:15 a.m. Aug. 6, 1945, in a flash of light, about 70,000 people were instantly killed as the first atomic bomb to be used as a weapon was dropped on Hiroshima. Three days later, tens of thousands more would perish as a second nuclear weapon exploded over Nagasaki. The community commemorated those who died and those who continue to suffer at 8 a.m. Friday, Aug. 6, at Fresno State’s Peace Garden. Speakers for the event included Marisol Baca, Judge Dale Ikeda, the Rev. Akiko Miyake-Stoner, Rinban Kakei Nakagawa and President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval.
Fresno State President Saúl Jiménez Sandoval speaks at the commemoration. 
Congressman Jim Costa speaks at the event. 
Dr. Sudarshan Kapoor holds a sign saying “Abolish Nuclear Weapons”
The commemoration also marked the beginning of a three-day fast for peace, ending with a gathering at 11 a.m. Aug. 9, at Woodward Park’s Shinzen Friendship Garden in recognition of Nagasaki’s atomic bombing. It is up to each participant to define how they will fast during this commemoration. Last year, three seedlings taken from a tree that survived the Hiroshima bombing were planted in Fresno State’s Peace Garden.
Community partners include Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organization; Central Valley Partnership; Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO; CFA, Fresno State Chapter; College of Social Sciences; Fresno Betsuin Buddhist Temple; Fresno Center for Non-Violence; Fresno County Office of Education; Fresno State Ethics Center; Interfaith Scholar Weekend; The Islamic Cultural Center of Fresno; Japanese American Citizens League; Martin Luther King Committee, City of Fresno; Peace and Conflict Studies Program; Peace Fresno; Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno; Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno; United Japanese Christian Church and the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom.
The College of Arts and Humanities at Fresno State 