International Holocaust Remembrance Day
Never again — remembering the six million victims of the Holocaust.
About
International Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27 honours the memory of the six million Jewish people and millions of others — Roma, disabled people, political prisoners, LGBTQ+ individuals — systematically murdered by the Nazi regime between 1933 and 1945. January 27 marks the date in 1945 when Soviet forces liberated the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration and extermination camp. The day is both a solemn act of remembrance and a call to vigilance against antisemitism, racism, and genocide. It is observed at the United Nations, in national parliaments, and in schools across the world. As the generation of survivors ages and living memory fades, the role of education, testimony, and memorialisation becomes ever more urgent. The phrase 'never again' is not only a vow about the past — it is a warning about the present. Genocides and mass atrocities have continued since 1945, and remembrance only has meaning if it informs how we act today.
History
The UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 60/7 in November 2005, establishing January 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The resolution also mandates education about the Holocaust and rejects Holocaust denial. The date was chosen to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, the site that has come to represent the full horror of the Nazi genocide.
Where It's Observed
Cultural Context
US United States
The US Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington D.C. holds major remembrance events on January 27. The day is marked in schools, synagogues, and community centres, with growing concern about rising antisemitism making the observance more politically charged in recent years.
KR South Korea
South Korea, as a nation with its own history of colonial occupation and mass atrocities, participates in Holocaust remembrance with particular sensitivity. South Korean educators use the day to draw connections between historical genocide and the importance of human rights protection today.
JP Japan
Japan's relationship with Holocaust memory is complicated by its World War II alliance with Nazi Germany. The day is nonetheless observed in schools and cultural institutions, and the Anne Frank House has conducted educational programmes in Japan to build awareness among younger generations.
How to Participate
- 01Visit a Holocaust memorial, museum, or online testimony archive
- 02Read a survivor memoir or account from the period
- 03Light a candle in remembrance at dusk
- 04Attend or organise a school or community commemoration event
Frequently asked questions
When is International Holocaust Remembrance Day?+
International Holocaust Remembrance Day is observed annually on January 27. The date is fixed each year — January 27 — and does not shift based on the lunar calendar or weekday.
What is International Holocaust Remembrance Day?+
International Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27 honours the memory of the six million Jewish people and millions of others — Roma, disabled people, political prisoners, LGBTQ+ individuals — systematically murdered by the Nazi regime between 1933 and 1945. January 27 marks the date in 1945 when…
Is International Holocaust Remembrance Day a public holiday?+
International Holocaust Remembrance Day is an international observance or awareness day, not a public holiday in most countries. It does not typically result in days off work or school closures, though some countries and organisations hold official events.
How can I participate in International Holocaust Remembrance Day?+
Visit a Holocaust memorial, museum, or online testimony archive Read a survivor memoir or account from the period Light a candle in remembrance at dusk These are some of the most accessible ways to engage with the day's purpose.
Which countries observe International Holocaust Remembrance Day?+
Global — United Nations initiative.
Mark the date
Download a free printable calendar for 2027 and never miss International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
US United States
United Kingdom
Australia
Canada
KR South Korea
JP Japan