International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust

International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust

The International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust serves as a solemn reminder of the unprecedented atrocities committed during the Holocaust. The observance aims to honour the six million Jews murdered by the Nazis and millions of other victims persecuted due to their ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, political beliefs and religion. This important day stresses the necessity to develop educational programmes worldwide that inculcate the memory of such a catastrophic event, thereby preventing future acts of genocide.

This observance, which was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2005, particularly resonates with the United Kingdom's history. Britain played a crucial role during World War II, opposing Nazi Germany's expansion and atrocities. Moreover, the UK welcomed thousands of child refugees through the Kindertransport rescue effort, and many British soldiers were among those who liberated concentration camps. Therefore, beyond a global commemoration, this day carries significant meaning for the British nation and people.

In the United Kingdom, the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust is observed with numerous activities coordinated by the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, a charity established by the British Government. The activities often include memorial services, educational events and exhibitions. Renowned landmarks are lit in purple as a mark of respect, and a national event held in London is attended by prominent political figures. This day is observed annually on January 27th, the date which marks the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. By uniting on this day, Britain reasserts its commitment to remember the victims, celebrate the survivors, and educate future generations about the Holocaust.

Facts & quotes about Victims of the Holocaust

• The theme for Holocaust Memorial Day in 2024 was Fragility of Freedom. The theme in 2023 was Ordinary People
• If we bear all this suffering and if there are still Jews left, when it is over, then Jews, instead of being doomed, will be held up as an example. ― Anne Frank, well-known Holocaust victim
• Sir Nicholas Winton was a British humanitarian who organized the rescue of 669 Czechoslovakian children, most of them Jewish, from the impending Holocaust. He is known as the British Schindler and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2003 for his efforts.
• Many British soldiers (and other Allied forces) were among the first witnesses to the horrors of the Holocaust upon liberating the Nazi concentration and extermination camps.

In the News and Trending in the UK for International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust

Top things to do in the UK for this observance

• Join social media campaigns that promote awareness of the Holocaust, try tweeting using the hashtag #holocaustmemorial or #remembranceday.
• Read one of the thought provoking, gripping and saddening accounts of the Holocaust. Some choice picks include:
  1) The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
  2) Maus by Art Spiegelman
  3) Eichmann in Jerusalem by Hannah Arendt
• Watch a movie from the UK that relates to Victims of the Holocaust:
  The Pianist - This film tells the real story of Władysław Szpilman, a Polish Jewish pianist who survived the Holocaust. Although not set in the UK, the film's director, Roman Polanski, lived in the UK for a time.
  Woman in Gold - Starring Helen Mirren as Maria Altmann, a Holocaust survivor who takes legal action to recover artwork she believes
• read a book to learn more about Victims of the Holocaust:
  Britain's Holocaust Memorials: A Comparative Study - by R. K. Shepherd: This book talks about the various Holocaust memorials present across Britain, showcasing the nation's shared history and empathy with the victims.
  The Holocaust and the Postmodern - by Robert Eaglestone: This book discusses several aspects related to the Holocaust, including its effects on survivors in the UK.