At 11:02 a.m., the time the bomb exploded, Hidekazu Tanaka, vice president of Rengo Hiroshima (Japanese Trade Union Confederation Hiroshima) and Reiji Fujimoto, president of Hiroshima City University, pulled on the rope, and the bell rang in a clear, pure tone.

About 40 persons attended the ringing, including members of Rengo Hiroshima and university office staff. In his greeting before the ringing, President Fujimoto said, "We will ring the bell hoping that Nagasaki, the last place in the world to suffer atomic bombing, will become both a symbol of tragedy and of peace."

Rengo Nagasaki had the bell made in 1995, the 50th anniversary of the atomic bombings and gave it to Rengo Hiroshima to express solidarity with the other A-bombed city. It was hung in Hiroshima City University with the intent of fostering peace-seeking hearts among coming generations.

When notified by internal broadcast in Hiroshima City Hall at the time of the bombing, civil servants will begin a minute of silence to mourn the victims.

(Caption)Hidekazu Tanaka, vice president of Rengo Hiroshima and Reiji Fujimoto, president of Hiroshima City University, sound the Nagasaki Peace Bell.