Holocaust Memorial Day: Remembering the Past to Create a Better Future

On Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD), we remember the millions of people who were killed in the Holocaust and other genocides, including the tragedy in Srebrenica.
What is a genocide?
Genocide is a word for when someone tries to destroy a whole group of people because of who they are. This could be because of their race, their religion, their nationality, or where they come from. Its aim is to wipe out a whole group of people.
Both the Holocaust and Srebrenica are genocides. They show us what can happen when hate goes too far, and why it’s so important to protect people who are at risk.
What happened in the Holocaust?
The Holocaust happened during World War II when the Nazis, who were in power in Germany, tried to kill all the Jewish people in Europe. They thought they were better than everyone else, especially Jewish people. This hatred is called antisemitism (feeling hostile or prejudiced towards Jewish people).
They passed unfair laws to take away Jewish people’s rights. Many Jewish people were sent to prisons called concentration camps, like Auschwitz-Birkenau, where millions were killed.
On January 27, 1945, soldiers freed the people in Auschwitz and the world saw how terrible the Nazis had been. This is why Holocaust Memorial Day is on January 27 every year and this year marks 80 years since the Jewish people were liberated from the concentration camps.
What happened in Srebrenica?
In 1995, during a war in Bosnia, over 8,000 Muslim men and boys were killed by soldiers called Bosnian Serb forces in a place called Srebrenica.
The Srebrenica massacre showed that even in more recent times, people can still commit terrible acts of violence and killing. This year marks 30 years since the genocide in Bosnia.
Why do we remember?
Remembering these events helps us understand how dangerous hate can be and why it’s so important to treat others with respect.
On Holocaust Memorial Day, we remember the people who died in these terrible events, but we also remember how strong the people who survived were. Even though they went through terrible things, many of them found the strength to start their lives again and help build a better future.
Their stories show us that there is always hope, even in the worst times. These stories inspire us to learn from what happened and to try to stop similar things from happening again.
What can you do to help?
By understanding why genocide happens (prejudice, discrimination, and hate), we can try to fight these things in our communities and online. Small acts of kindness and speaking up when we see things that are unfair can make a big difference. By working together, we can help make the world a more tolerant and inclusive place for everyone.
Finding support
Learning about historical tragedies and the ongoing struggles against prejudice and hate can be emotionally challenging. If anything in this blog post has affected you, or if you’d like to talk to someone about how you can safely challenge injustice and promote equality in your own life, Meic is here to help.
Meic is a confidential helpline service for children and young people in Wales. You can contact Meic for free, by phone, WhatsApp message, text, or online chat, to talk about anything that’s on your mind. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, need someone to listen, or want to explore ways to make a positive difference in your community, Meic is available to provide support and guidance.
