Boston Marathon bombings anniversary marked with call for show of kindness

Hundreds of people on Wednesday gathered together at Boylston Street in downtown Boston, U.S. State of Massachusetts, to observe a moment of silence in commemoration of the second anniversary of the Marathon bombings, then church bells tolling.

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, together with survivors and rescuers of the tragic event, unveiled commemorative banners Wednesday morning at the finish line in front of the Boston Public library where the two bombings killed three and injured 260 others this very day two years ago.

In front of the orange banners featuring a white heart with a road receding into the distance and the word "Boston," Walsh delivered a statement, noting that those most affected by the events of two years ago have shown people the way back, with their courage, grace and determination.

"They honor the past, remember and treasure loved ones lost and injured, and look forward to a better future," he said, adding that "we should strive to do the same."

The four banners were mounted on light poles wrapped in blue and yellow flowers, the marathon's colors.

Jane Richard, who lost her 8-year-old brother, Martin, in the twin blasts, which also took one of her legs, also helped unveil one set of the banners. The Richard family walked down Boylston Street with Walsh at the ceremony honoring victims and survivors.

Before the anniversary ceremony, Walsh also declared April 15 " One Boston Day," a new tradition in which Bostonians are encouraged to show kindness and generosity and strength.

The anniversary comes amid a break in the trial of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, who was convicted last week of carrying out the bombing attack, before the same jury that found him guilty decides whether to sentence him to death or life in prison.

On April 15, 2013, shortly before 3 p.m., two pressure-cooker bombs allegedly hidden in backpacks by the two brothers of Chechen origin, then 26-year old Tamerlan Tsarnaev and his 19-year old brother, Dzhokhar, exploded and sent metal fragments through the crowd of bystanders near the Boston Marathon finish line.

The blasts set off a multi-day manhunt that ended with Tamerlan Tsarnaev killed from a shootout with the police and Dzhokhar captured in a Boston suburb.

The Boston Marathon is the oldest annual event of the kind in the world dating back to 1897 and considered the most well-known. This year's race will be held next Monday. Endite