National Day

International Holocaust Remembrance Day

Celebrated on 01/27/2026

Quick Fact

International Holocaust Remembrance Day is observed on January 27, the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1945. The day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2005, making it one of the newer UN-designated international days. It serves as a global call to remember the six million Jewish victims and millions of other victims of Nazi persecution.

Origins and Establishment of International Holocaust Remembrance Day

International Holocaust Remembrance Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly on November 1, 2005, through Resolution 60/7. The resolution was initiated by Israel, the United States, Russia, and several European countries, and was co-sponsored by over 100 UN member states. The date chosen, January 27, marks the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp by the Soviet Red Army in 1945. The resolution rejects any denial of the Holocaust as a historical event, and urges member states to develop educational programs to remember the Holocaust and prevent future genocides.

Evolution and Modern Commemoration

Since its establishment, International Holocaust Remembrance Day has been observed annually by UN member states, with ceremonies at UN headquarters and in many countries. The day has evolved to include a variety of commemorative activities, such as candle-lighting ceremonies, educational events, film screenings, and exhibitions. Many countries have adopted their own national Holocaust memorial days, often aligning with January 27. In recent years, the day has also become a platform to address contemporary issues of antisemitism, racism, and intolerance, with a focus on Holocaust education and remembrance as tools to combat hate.

Facts & General Observations

  • On International Holocaust Remembrance Day 2020, the UN launched the "#WeRemember" campaign, which reached over 1 billion people on social media.
  • According to Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center, approximately 6 million Jews were murdered in the Holocaust, along with 5 million other victims, including Roma, disabled individuals, and political prisoners.
  • A 2020 survey by the Claims Conference found that 63% of American millennials and Gen Z did not know that 6 million Jews were killed in the Holocaust, highlighting the ongoing need for education and remembrance.

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