The phrase “Never Forget” is often used when speaking about the Holocaust. The phrase refers to the horrors associated with genocide committed in Nazi Germany during World War II. International Holocaust Remembrance Day was established to honor the commitment to “never forget.” The date falls on Jan. 27 every year and is observed by people throughout the world.
Establishment of the Remembrance Day
The United Nations established the International Remembrance Day in 2006. The decision to set aside an International Day of Remembrance for the Holocaust was made by the UN’s Outreach Division. When the first Remembrance Day was celebrated, it was accompanied by a traveling exhibit of children’s toys that had been played with by survivors of the Holocaust.
Why Jan. 27 Was Chosen
Jan. 27 was chosen for a very specific reason as the day to honor the victims and survivors of the Holocaust. It was chosen because its as the anniversary of the day that Allied forces were able to liberate Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camps. The concentration camp at Auschwitz-Birkenau was one of the largest in Germany.
Why Observing the International Day of Remembrance Is Important
In addition to remembering the history of the Holocaust, the International Day of Remembrance is a day put aside to acknowledge any antisemitism and discrimination that still exists. The messages put forward by groups observing the Day of Remembrance are to prevent the spread of hate based on religion, race or ethnicity.
The ZACHOR Holocaust Remembrance Foundation spreads educational programs and online resources about the Holocaust, and they can be contacted at Web.