January 27: International Holocaust Remembrance Day
Prayer Idea
Pray for Jews around the world who face persecution simply for being Jews.
History Note
International Holocaust Remembrance Day commemorates the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp and remembers the victims of the Holocaust.
Before and during World War II, the Nazi government of Germany conducted a systematic campaign of persecution against Jewish people in Germany and across Europe. The Germans and their collaborators also rounded up Romani people, people with disabilities, people who helped the Jews, and others they considered “unfit”.
These victims were taken to concentration camps and there subjected to forced labor and cruel treatment. Many died from the inhumane conditions, while others were deliberately killed. The Nazis killed about six million Jews plus perhaps as many non-Jewish civilians.
In 2005 the United Nations General Assembly designated January 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. In addition to honoring the victims of Nazism, the day encourages education to combat ongoing violence against persons and communities based on ethnic origin and religious belief.
These shoes belonged to prisoners at the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. Photo courtesy Tartezy / Shutterstock.com.
Learn More
The Auschwitz concentration camp complex is located in Poland. It has been preserved as a memorial since 1947.
This video features interviews with survivors returning to the camp in 2020, seventy-five years after it was liberated.
Please Note: It includes disturbing descriptions of the violence they suffered and the death they witnessed.
Many cities around the United States have Holocaust museums. Visit Homeschool History to find more resources.
