International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust
On January 27 each year, the United Nations (UN) remembers the Holocaust that affected many people of Jewish origin during World War II. This day is called the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust. It also commemorates when the Soviet troops liberated the Nazi concentration and death camp Auschwitz-Birkenau in Poland on January 27, 1945.
https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/un/commemoration-of-holocaust-victims
The day of commemoration of victims of the holocaust is a tragic day for many, and a controversial day for others. No matter our view on this subject, I think we can all come together to acknowledge that atrocities happen during wars and evil people tend to do horrible things to others in the name of war. Many innocent men, women and children were tortured and died, and many families torn apart, never to see one another again. Not ever really knowing what had happened to their loved ones. For some, this also meant living the rest of their lives in the vain hope that just maybe, somehow their mother, father, brother, sister, wife or husband had survived. A hope, that many survivors took to their grave.
Today, we live in a far different world, to that of the 1940’s. As a global society we have become more inclusive and tolerant of those who are different from ourselves. Of course the world is still far from perfect and we still have a long way to go until everyone can live without fear of prejudice or hatred. However, in Australia at least, we are heading in the right direction, with the way we have embraced migrants coming to our country and in how well the generations of migrant children born here have embraced the Australian way of life.
We must never forget the lessons History has taught us. Whilst it is not pleasant to dwell on the atrocities of the past, it is only by acknowledging and remembering them that we can make sure they never happen again.
Written by Kathrine Carton B.Coun.