Los Alamos celebrates 75 years virtually
Host of online options help visitors discover history of the ‘Secret City’
While anti-nuclear activists canceled their annual peace vigil and march in Los Alamos, held each year on the anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Los Alamos County is urging people to celebrate World War II-era anniversaries online or, in some instances, in person.
In a news release last week, the Los Alamos Economic Development Department invited people to get educated — and a little exercise — about the role Los Alamos played in bringing an end to the war 75 years ago.
August 6 marks the anniversary of the first use of the atomic bomb, Aug. 14 (or 15, depending on your location) is recognized as V-J (Victory over Japan) Day, and Sept. 2 is the date Japan formally surrendered.
“Each of these dates had a huge impact on the world as a whole,” Kelly Stewart, marketing manager for Los Alamos County, says in the news release. “In Los Alamos, we’re proud to have been the home of groundbreaking science that led
to the end of the war, as well as groundbreaking science that continues to this day, and we invite everyone to celebrate these anniversaries with us — either socially distanced, or virtually.”
Folks can physically visit the site of the Manhattan Project and learn some of its secrets by taking a selfguided walking tour. The Los Alamos History Museum also offers a list of “History Hikes,” allowing people to learn about the history of the “Secret City” while enjoying the outdoors.
But Stewart also urges people to explore the city and its attractions online.
“We can’t wait to welcome out-of-state visitors again, once it’s safe to do so,” she said. “However, our community has been hard at work to ensure that those who would like to visit can still enjoy some of the incredible attractions and see some of the spaces virtually.”
Among them are the History Museum’s online overview of the Trinity Site, where the bomb was first tested, and the Bradbury Science Museum’s website.
There’s also a recently released YouTube video titled “Project Trinity: The Myth, the Legend, the Legacy” presented by Los Alamos National Laboratory historian Alan Carr that debuted at last month’s Los Alamos ScienceFest.
People are invited to visit the Manhattan Project National Historical Park’s 75th commemoration website, or its Facebook page, to learn the history behind the design and development of the first atomic bomb.
The women who make up the Atomic City’s history are also recognized.
“Celebrating the incredible historical contributions of women in Los Alamos, as well as the centennial anniversary of women’s right to vote, Pioneering Women in Los Alamos offers an incredible lesson on the powerful women of the area’s history,” according to the news release.
Finally, people can participate in the Messages of Peace program, where they can follow directions to make their own paper origami crane and submit their own message. The messages are placed in a time capsule to be opened in 2045, the 100th anniversary of the atomic bomb.
“Until visits can resume, we encourage those from out of state to join us virtually, and learn about the history and science that shaped our town — and the history of the world,” Stewart said.