January 27th, 1945, was when Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp was liberated by the Soviet Union. Every year since 2001, Holocaust Memorial Day remembers the six million Jews who were murdered during the horrors of the Holocaust.
It encourages us to remember in a world that will forever be scarred by genocide. As well as remembrance, Holocaust Memorial is about education, education for a new generation of people to teach them to fight against prejudice and hatred; to try and prevent something as heinous as the Holocaust from ever recurring by using their voices to fight for what is right.
Whilst I was researching Holocaust Memorial Day, I found out that my form tutor has a very personal connection to this dreadful chapter of history. When I asked the question “what does Holocaust Memorial Day mean for you?”; Donald Mackintosh – History and Politics teacher at Dulwich College – said he is reminded of the suffering and pain his family endured as they narrowly escaped Nazi Germany to seek refuge in England. Mackintosh stated that it is “important to provide empathy and refuge to those who flee persecution.” He added: “If my family had not been shown this in 1939, I would not exist.” It is important that we learn about harrowing events such as the Holocaust to ensure that we, as well as future generations, can challenge things that are so evil.
Holocaust Memorial Day is also significant in recognising the lives of survivors. How their lives changed beyond recognition following the extremely traumatic events that they experienced and honouring their immense courage in doing their best to rebuild their own lives as well as their families future.
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