The United States detonated two nuclear weapons over the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6 and 9, 1945, respectively, with the consent of the United Kingdom. The two bombings killed between 129,000 and 226,000 people, most of whom were civilians, and remain the only use of nuclear weapons in armed conflict.

Mountain Forum for Peace was started in part in response to nuclear proliferation. Early members participated in the antinuclear demonstrations at Rocky Flats, and some journeyed to the Nevada Test sight bearing witness and committing civil disobedience in support of disarmament.

This annual vigil is a gathering of people from all walks of life and across the political spectrum who refuse to allow the mistakes of the past to be forgotten, lest they be repeated.