One Boston Day: Remembering the lives lost in marathon bombing at two-year anniversary

People around the Boston area commemorated the second anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombing in what is now known as One Boston Day on 15 April. The anniversary comes just a week after bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was found guilty of killing three and injuring more than 260 others with his brother in 2013.

The city stopped to observe a moment of silence and church bells tolled to remember the moment the first of the two pressure-cooker bombs detonated, Radio Boston reported. According to WBUR, Bostonians also marked the second anniversary with random acts of service.

The Hyatt Regency Boston collected running shoes for St Francis homeless shelter, while the Old South Church held a "service of resiliency", WBUR reported.

In a statement released during the announcement of the new city tradition, Mayor Martin Walsh said, "One Boston Day will inspire all of us to come together as the community we are and share the spirit of Boston by giving back. April 15 is a date that has come to stand for our city's deepest values. I hope everyone can mark this day in a way that is appropriate and inclusive for each of our experiences."

Survivors have shown courage, grace and determination'

Walsh and Massachusetts Governor Charles Baker unveiled banners commemorating the victims at the site of the attacks on Boylston Street early on Wednesday. The ceremony was attended by survivors, including the family of the youngest victim killed Martin Richards.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families, who seek to make sense of that awful day two years ago," Baker said in a statement. "In many respects, those most affected by the events of two years ago have shown us all 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. We should strive to do the same."

The sentencing phase of Tsarnaev's trial will begin the day after this year's Boston Marathon on 21 April.