On the 27 of January since 2000, International Holocaust Memorial Day is commemorated. The day honors those who lost their lives to and experienced the horrors of the Holocaust. The 27th of January marks the day because it was when Auschwitz (the largest concentration camp operated by the Nazis), was emancipated by Soviet soldiers in 1945, freeing around 500 people in the camp.
Holocaust Memorial day was founded when 46 delegates from all different governments gathered in Stockholm to address the research, education and commemoration of the Holocaust. After their discussion, all attendees signed the Stockholm Declaration, making sure each country abides and that they serve the commitments they made. Which were in short, stating the Holocaust did huge amounts of damage and that countries will aim to educate people and remember those that were lost in the Holocaust.
This year the theme of Holocaust Memorial Day is ‘ordinary people’. The idea is that ‘ordinary people’ are the victims but also bystanders and allow terrible events such as the holocaust to happen. This year will involve an online ceremony will be taking place, it will be free to watch. Of course other events will be happening in local areas, but more widely Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Speaker of the House of Commons, will conduct an event in which Holocaust survivors will be able to share their experiences with the people in Parliament.
