Bombings remembered

SYDNEY — A small ceremony is set for Sydney this week to mark the 75th anniversary of the dropping of the first atomic bombs that devastated two Japanese cities and led to that country’s ultimate surrender at the end of the Second World War.

The event is hosted by Peace Quest Cape Breton and the Cape Breton Regional Municipality. It will take place Thursday at 8 a.m. outside city hall. A proclamation will be read acknowledging the Aug. 6 bombing of Hiroshima and the attack on Nagasaki that happened three days later.

It is estimated that as many as 250,000 people, mostly civilians, perished after the nuclear weapons were detonated over the two cities.

“The people of the world will not be secure until the arms race is halted and the threat of nuclear war eliminated,” states the proclamation that will be read by Coun. Amanda McDougall.

Due to social distancing protocol, the gathering will be limited to a small group of municipal officials and Peace Quest members and supporters.