Los Alamos Lights for Peace

Luminarias line a sidewalk by a pond and lead up stairs to a small structure. — Luminarias line Ashley Pond in Los Alamos, New Mexico.
NPS

Reflection

In Los Alamos, scientists, engineers, and military officials worked together to develop the theoretical and experimental tests that created the first atomic weapons using enriched uranium from Oak Ridge and plutonium from Hanford. The uranium bomb utilized a gun method for creating a critical mass and nuclear explosion. In 1944, scientists determined that a gun-type bomb would not work for plutonium. They turned to the theoretical and extremely complex implosion method to develop the plutonium-fueled fat man bomb.

Uncertain the implosion method would work, officials tested this method at the Trinity Site in southern New Mexico on July 16, 1945. The Trinity test ushered in the nuclear age with the world's first human-caused nuclear explosion. This profound significant scientific achievement raised ethical and moral questions among scientists and citizens alike—questions that continue to this day.

Los Alamos Lights for Peace

On August 8, 2024, you are invited to join us at the historic Fuller Lodge for a viewing of the documentary film Richland. Afterwards, visitors are encouraged to join us for a somber quiet luminaria (farolitos) viewing in the historic Memorial Rose Garden located on the grounds of Fuller Lodge. This introspective experience focuses on providing visitors the opportunity to walk the lighted path in silence and have their own reflective experience based on their personal reasons for participating.

August 8th 2024 event details:
Location: Fuller Lodge in Los Alamos, NM
6:00 PM Doors open
6:30 PM Film begins
8:00 PM Memorial Rose Garden Luminaria Viewing

Every July, the park posts a full schedule of events on the park's online calendar, and Facebook page.

More Commemoration Events

For those who are unable to attend the August event in person, a virtual bell ringing is available from 6:00 am EDT on August 6 through 11:59 pm PDT on August 9. A virtual Lights for Peace is available year-round.

As part of the Days of Peace and Remembrance, the park solicits Messages of Peace from the public in advance of the August commemoration events.