Holocaust Remembrance Day Observed Globally, Marks 80 Years Since Genocide

Holocaust Remembrance Day, observed in both the United States and Israel, honors the memory of the six million Jews killed during the Holocaust and commemorates acts of resistance and heroism. In Israel, official ceremonies, including a nationwide siren and a torch-lighting at Yad Vashem, mark the occasion, with this year's theme focused on the anguish and hope of liberation. The day also sparks debate about the nature of Jewish heroism during the Holocaust, with some emphasizing armed resistance like the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising and others highlighting spiritual endurance and dignity under oppression. In the U.S., communities and local governments recognize the day with ceremonies and educational efforts to ensure the atrocities are neither forgotten nor repeated. Historical reflection includes criticism of the U.S. government's limited response during the Holocaust and the persistence of antisemitism before and during World War II. The overarching message is the importance of remembering both victims and acts of resistance as a lesson against hatred and indifference.