For more information on the Manhattan Project and the Communities that supported the Manhattan Project visit: https://manhattanprojectnationalpark.com/
This week three ECA communities, Hanford, Los Alamos, and Oak Ridge, will be commemorating the 75 years since atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, effectively leading to the end of World War II. From 1942 to 1945, the Manhattan Project—an ambitious
effort to harness the power of yet unimaginable science and technology—paired the world’s greatest scientific minds with thousands of skilled and determined Americans. Their efforts created the planet’s first nuclear weapons and ended the most terrible war in the history of humanity…and it happened in secret.
These three locations were fundamental to the work that was completed during the War as part of the Manhattan Project. Information on the three locations and their contributions to the Manhattan Project can be found here:
August 6 and August 9 mark the days of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan which led to the Japanese surrender and the end of World War II. Each community contributed uniquely to the Manhattan Project and each community will be commemorating in a
unique manner. Collectively, the Manhattan Project National Historical Park is collecting paper cranes with messages of peace. Images of paper cranes or messages of peace can be sent to mapr_information@nps.gov. These cranes will be saved in a time capsule and opened on the 100th anniversary of the bombings in 2045.
Today, in Oak Ridge, TN, the Manhattan Project National Historical Park (MPNHP) hosted a sunrise ceremony at the Friendship Bell in Bissell Park. The public will have an opportunity to ring the bell and are invited to record the reason why they are ringing the
bell. There will be a virtual bell ringing option that can be found here. If you are interested in learning more about Oak Ridge virtually, a tour of the K-25 Building can be found at the new K-25 virtual Museum website.
At Hanford, many events commemorating the contributions of the Hanford Site will occur in September that provide insights on how Hanford contributed to the famous Manhattan Project. Most notably, Hanford is the location of the world’s first large-scale nuclear
reactor, the B Reactor. Some examples of activities that will open in September are “People of the Manhattan Project: Building an Atomic City,” “Day’s Pay Bomber presentation,” Something Extraordinary – A Short History of the Manhattan Project, Hanford, and the B Reactor” book launch, and Atomic Frontier Day on September 14, 2020.
For Los Alamos, NM, there are also opportunities for learning in person and virtually. Those from the surrounding areas of Los Alamos can explore the site of the Manhattan Project with a self-guided Historic Walking Tour. This link also provides a PDF with descriptions of several Los Alamos historical locations. Virtually you can view an overview of the Trinity Test, the first nuclear detonation that occurred on July 16, 1945. Lisa Gordon-Hagerty, Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration, visited Los Alamos National Lab to commemorate to 75th anniversary of the Trinity Test.
https://manhattanprojectnationalpark.com/ is developed and hosted in partnership with DISCOVER LOS ALAMOS, EXPLORE OAK RIDGE & VISIT TRI-CITIES.
