Sadako Sasaki
== Early Life ==
Sadako Sasaki was born on January 7, 1943, in Hiroshima, Japan. She was the daughter of Shigeo and Fujiko Sasaki. Sadako was only two years old when the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. Although she survived the initial blast, she was exposed to radiation.
Illness and Hospitalization[edit | edit source]
In 1954, at the age of 11, Sadako began to show signs of illness. She was diagnosed with leukemia, which was referred to as "atomic bomb disease" at the time. Sadako was admitted to the Hiroshima Red Cross Hospital for treatment.
The Thousand Paper Cranes[edit | edit source]
While in the hospital, Sadako began folding origami cranes. According to Japanese legend, folding 1,000 paper cranes would grant a wish. Sadako wished for her recovery and for world peace. She used medicine wrappers and any paper she could find to fold the cranes.
Death and Legacy[edit | edit source]
Sadako Sasaki died on October 25, 1955, at the age of 12. Her story inspired her classmates and friends to build a monument in her honor. The Children's Peace Monument was unveiled in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in 1958. It features a statue of Sadako holding a golden crane.
Cultural Impact[edit | edit source]
Sadako's story has become a symbol of the impact of nuclear warfare and the desire for peace. Her life and the tradition of folding paper cranes have been depicted in books, films, and plays. The story of Sadako and the thousand paper cranes is taught in schools around the world as a lesson in peace and hope.
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