That’s why 14-th June is celebrated in Poland as the National Remembrance Day for Victims of the German Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camps. In fact, his year, it is already 79-th anniversary of those events. Former prisoners of concentration camp, governmental authorities and those who wanted to commemorate victims took part in the solemnization. The main part of the celebration took place in front of block 11.
728 prisoners were sent to the emergent Auschwitz concentration camp from a prison in Tarnow. This group included members of resistance movement, canvassers, community activists, priests and some Jews. Although the camp hasn’t been fully developed, the procedures of inmates humiliation were working perfectly. That’s what prisoners heard from Lagerführer during their first days Auschwitz:
“There is no other way to leave the camp than through a chimney. (…) If there are some Jews in the transport, they have a right to live no longer than 2 weeks, if priests – one month, the rest – 3 months.”
Nevertheless, around 200 prisoners out of 728 has survived the war. In 2018 the last prisoner from the first Auschwitz transport died. He had 96 years.
Nowadays, we can find plenty of dates that are significant for Holocaust and Auschwitz history. However, the most important one is the International Holocaust Memorial Day. Although it’s officially celebrated by United Nations, the whole world remember about 27th January.
This date is especially important as on 27th January, 1945 Auschwitz concentration camp has been liberated by Red Army.
Holocaust Memorial Day – Children survivorsThe main objectives of International Holocaust Memorial Day is to raise the awareness and knowledge of young generation and to prevent genocide events in the future. Although it may seem unbelievable, such threat is always present among humans. That’s why we need to remember and improve world’s aspirations.
In Poland, International Holocaust Memorial Day is celebrated in two crucial places. One is Warsaw at Ghetto Heroes Monument, the second is Auschwitz Birkenau Memorial and Museum in Oświęcim.
The whole world remembers and commemorates human terror victims. However, dates are different, depending on the coutry. Does your country also has a fixed date for commemoration?
