The Story of Sadako...
Sadako Sasaki was just two years old on August 5, 1945 when the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. As a young girl, she grew up remembering and honoring the day, declared Peace Day, with her family at Peace Park, since her own grandmother had been killed by the bomb. The looming fear of the "atom bomb disease" or leukemia, was very real for the inhabitants living in or near the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Sadako's mother always said that Sadako learned to run before she could walk. She was born to be a runner. One day, after running a relay race, she began to feel dizzy. She kept her diziness a secret as to not alarm her family. But all that ended on a cold winter day when Sadako was running in the yard at school and collapsed. She was immediately rushed to the Red Cross Hospital. There, at age 11, she was diagnosed with the "atom bomb disease." By that time, Sadako had grown into a strong, couregeous, and athletic girl. While in the hospital, her friend Chizuko, came up with a way for Sadako to get well. She shared with her the old story of the crane... |
Significance of the Crane...
Sadako died on October 25, 1955. Although she never folded one thousand paper cranes, her classmates folded the remaining three hundred and fifty six and buried them with Sadako. Soon Sadako's story spread. In 1958 a statue of Sadako was unveiled in Peace Park. There she stands, holding a golden crane with outstretched hands. In her honor, a Folded Crane Club was organized. On Peace Day, members fold thousands of paper cranes and place them beneath the statue. They make a wish too. This wish is engraved on the base of the statue: This is our cry, this is our prayer; peace in the world.
Sadako and her story will live in the hearts of many for years to come as a symbol of peace and tolerance.
Let's Make a Crane!
Two statues of Sadako have been built as a constant reminder of the struggles that many children face....one is located in Hiroshima (where Sadako lived), the other is located in Seattle, WA Paper cranes have become a symbol for peace and are made by children around the world. Watch the Video to learn how to make a paper crane! | |
Hiroshima Peace Memorial (1958) | Seattle Peace Memorial (1988) |
Read Sadako's Story...
Follow the link to EPIC Books Enter Classroom Code jqg1363 | Other Sadako Stories... |
Learn some other ORIGAMI tricks!
Spruce Craft: Ten Beginner Origami Projects with Pictures! | Easy Origami Tutorials: Lots of fun beginner origami projects. |
Easy Origami HEART! Follow along with this easy YouTube tutorial on how to fold and origami Heart! | Easy Origami DOG! Follow along with this easy YouTube tutorial on how to fold and origami Dog! |
Easy Origami CHRISTMAS TREE! Follow along with this easy YouTube tutorial on how to fold and origami Christmas Tree! | TRICKY Origami Christmas Tree! Follow along with this advanced YouTube tutorial on how to fold and origami Christmas Tree! |
Easy Origami FISH! Follow along with this easy YouTube tutorial on how to fold and origami Fish! | Easy Origami JUMPING FROG! Follow along with this easy YouTube tutorial on how to fold and origami Jumping Frog! |