Remembrance Day in Marshall Islands
Remembrance Day is observed annually on the 1st of March and is celebrated as a national holiday in the Marshall Islands. It’s a day that honors the survivors and the victims of the nuclear testing that was done during the 1950s by the United States government.
Marshall Islands (Public holiday)Known previously as Nuclear Victims’ Day or Nuclear Survivors’ Day, this day is a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed. Even to this day, people affected by the detonation of the United States’ most powerful hydrogen bomb over the Bikini Atoll have to deal with food and home security, as well as generational health disparities.
The History Of Remembrance Day In The Marshall Islands
On March 1st, 1954, the U.S government detonated Castle Bravo over the Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands. This was the largest nuclear device ever detonated by the U.S government and the first series of nuclear tests that were done under Operation Castle. Before nuclear testing began, over 160+ Marshallese were relocated from Bikini Atoll to other islands.
Between 1946 to 1958 the United States military would end up testing 67 atomic weapons not only on the Bikini Atoll but also over Enewetak Atoll. Not only did these tests displace entire communities, but they also caused long-term health effects for the residents of the islands.
Important Facts About The Marshall Islands
Let’s go over some of the facts that we’ve learned about the Marshall Islands and would like to now share with everyone reading today. We thought that the following facts were entertaining, so we decided to share them with everyone reading about Remembrance Day.
- The official name is the Republic of the Marshall Islands (R.M.I)
- The capital city is Majuro.
- The Marshall Islands has a population of over 77,000 people and covers an area of 181 square kilometers.
- The major languages in R.M.I include Marshallese and English.
- The Marshall Islands are composed of over 1,225+ islands and islets.
- The islands also have 870 reef systems.
- The first Europeans to visit the islands were Spaniard Miguel de Saavedra and Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan.
Observing Remembrance Day In The Marshall Islands
This is a day off for the general population, and government agencies as well as schools are closed. It’s also a day when many businesses are closed. This allows people to visit memorial services and other events that remember the victims of the Bikini Atoll nuclear testing. People can use the hashtag #RemembranceDay on social media.
Marshall Islands (Public holiday)
