'Share A Moment Of Kindness,' One Boston Day Marks 8 Years Since Marathon Bombings

BOSTON (CBS) - Thursday was One Boston Day, marking eight years since the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings.

For the second year in a row, there were not any public events or public service campaigns because of the pandemic. Governor Charlie Baker and acting Boston Mayor Kim Janey laid a wreath at the memorial on Boylston Street.

Janey said the day should be taken "as an opportunity to share a moment of kindness with family, friends, neighbors, and fellow Bostonians." She went to the William E. Carter School in the South End Thursday morning where city workers cleaned up a sensory garden.

"I was actually at the marathon that day. I was at the second explosion. It was a very traumatic experience for all that were there, all that even witnessed on television," Janey said. "There are lots of ways that people can contribute on this day. I hope people take some time to reflect, take some time to figure out how they can give back."

The mayor's office provided a checklist of acts of kindness anyone can safely do from home. Janey also asked people to share their reflections on the meaning of April 15 on social media with #OneBostonDay.

The bells at Old South Church tolled at 2:49 p.m., the time the first bomb exploded near the finish line, to mark the eighth anniversary. Janey also held a moment of silence at that time at City Hall.

Krystle Campbell, Martin Richard and Lingzi Lu were killed during the bombings and MIT Officer Sean Collier was murdered during the manhunt for the bombers.

Boston Police officer Dennis Simmonds suffered a head injury during a shootout with the Tsarnaev brothers and died almost a year later.