CNMI to commemorate 80th anniversary of WWII atomic bombings 

08/05/2025 - The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands will commemorate the 80th anniversary of the World War II atomic bomb attacks against Japan that were launched from Tinian in August 1945.

According to the Atomic Heritage Foundation, “on August 5, 1945, a B-29 was maneuvered over a bomb loading pit and then taxied to Runway Able at North Field. At 2:45 am on August 6, the B-29 – piloted by Lt. Col. Paul Tibbets of the 509th Composite Group, who had named the plane after his mother, Enola Gay – took off. On August 6 at 8:15 am Hiroshima time, the Little Boy bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. A minute later, the bomb exploded. Three days later, on August 9, the B-29 Bockscar and support planes took off from Tinian. The “Fat Man” atomic bomb exploded over the city of Nagasaki at 11:02 AM Nagasaki time.”

On Wednesday, the Mayor of Tinian and Aguigan will host a ceremony at the Tinian Atomic Bomb Site at North Field at 10 a.m. A candlelight vigil will also be held at 5 p.m. the same day.

“We remember and reflect on the 80 years since World War II and the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan,” the local government said in an announcement. “This historic occasion is a time for deep reflection, honoring the lives affected and reaffirming our collective commitment to lasting world peace.”

Meanwhile, a delegation from the CNMI is in Japan to attend the Peace Ceremony at the  Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.

Marianas Press learned that Saipan Mayor RB Camacho, Tinian Municipal Council Chairman Joseph Santos, Marianas Visitors Authority Director Sachiko Gerard, MVA Managing Director Jamika Taijeron, Special Assistant Glen Hunter, Saipan Mayor PIO Benjamin Maratita, and Second Lady Ana Mendiola make up the delegation representing the CNMI in Japan.

Taijeron told Marianas Press they plan to meet with the Hiroshima Prefectural Assembly and the Hiroshima Governor. She said there will be nearly 10,000 attendees from 196 countries.

Taijeron said the CNMI shares a sad history with Hiroshima, and the CNMI wants to show its strong support for peace.

Report by Thomas Manglona II.