The International Holocaust Remembrance Day, officially known as the International Day in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust, is a vital global observance held annually on 27 January. This solemn day is dedicated to commemorating the millions of lives brutally extinguished during the Holocaust, a systematic, state-sponsored genocide perpetrated by Nazi Germany and its collaborators between 1933 and 1945.

The Holocaust represented an unprecedented attempt to implement what the Nazi regime chillingly termed the "Final Solution to the Jewish Question," an ideology-driven plan aimed at the complete extermination of the Jewish people. This horrific campaign resulted in the murder of approximately six million Jews, representing two-thirds of Europe's Jewish population and nearly one-third of the global Jewish population at the time. Beyond the Jewish community, countless members of other targeted groups were also systematically persecuted and murdered, including millions of Roma (Gypsies), Sinti, people with disabilities, homosexuals, Soviet prisoners of war, and political opponents who resisted the Nazi ideology.

Why is 27 January significant for Holocaust Remembrance?

The date of 27 January holds profound historical significance. It marks the day in 1945 when the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration and extermination camp, the largest and most infamous of the German Nazi camps, was liberated by the Soviet Union's Red Army. Auschwitz stands as a chilling symbol of the Holocaust's atrocities, where over 1.1 million people, primarily Jews, were murdered. Its liberation signaled a pivotal moment, revealing the full extent of Nazi Germany's horrific crimes against humanity to the world.

The United Nations and Global Remembrance

International Holocaust Remembrance Day was formally designated by the United Nations General Assembly through Resolution 60/7 on 1 November 2005. This landmark resolution underscored the international community's commitment to remembering and learning from the Holocaust, urging member states to develop educational programs that instill the lessons of the genocide to help prevent future acts of atrocity. The adoption of this resolution followed a special session of the General Assembly held earlier that year, on 24 January 2005, which marked the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi concentration camps and the formal end of the Holocaust era.

The resolution's call for global remembrance emphasizes the universal lessons of the Holocaust, highlighting the dangers of unchecked hatred, antisemitism, racism, and genocide. It serves as a stark reminder of humanity's darkest chapter and the imperative to uphold human rights and dignity for all.

National Observances of Holocaust Memorial Days

• Some nations, such as the United Kingdom, align their observances with the international date, commemorating their Holocaust Memorial Day also on 27 January.
• Others, like Israel, observe a different date. Israel's national Holocaust Remembrance Day, known as Yom HaShoah Ve-HaGvurah (Day of Remembrance of the Holocaust and Heroism), or simply Yom HaShoah, is observed on the 27th of Nisan according to the Hebrew calendar. This date typically falls in April or May and commemorates the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, symbolizing Jewish resistance and resilience.

These varied observances collectively contribute to a global network of remembrance, ensuring that the victims are never forgotten and the lessons of the Holocaust continue to resonate across generations and cultures.

Frequently Asked Questions about International Holocaust Remembrance Day

What is the primary purpose of International Holocaust Remembrance Day?

The primary purpose is to commemorate the victims of the Holocaust, honor their memory, educate future generations about this genocide, and promote human rights to prevent similar atrocities from ever happening again.

Who were the main victims of the Holocaust?

The primary victims were six million Jews. Additionally, millions of others were persecuted and murdered, including Roma, Sinti, people with disabilities, homosexuals, Soviet prisoners of war, and political dissidents.

What was the "Final Solution"?

The "Final Solution" was the chilling Nazi term for their plan to systematically exterminate the Jewish people through genocide, utilizing concentration camps, extermination camps, and mass shootings.

How was the date of January 27th chosen?

January 27th was chosen because it marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest German Nazi concentration and extermination camp, by the Soviet Red Army in 1945.

Is International Holocaust Remembrance Day the only memorial day for the Holocaust?

No. While it is the internationally recognized day by the United Nations, many countries also observe their own national Holocaust Memorial Days, such as Yom HaShoah in Israel, which falls on a different date.