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What is Holocaust Memorial Day?

Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) takes place each year on 27 January.

What is Holocaust Memorial Day?

The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust encourages remembrance in a world scarred by prejudice and systematic, targeted persecution. We promote and support Holocaust Memorial Day – the international day on 27 January. The Holocaust is central to Holocaust Memorial Day and we remember the 6 million Jews murdered during the Holocaust. We also commemorate the millions more people murdered through the Nazi persecution of other groups and in the more recent genocides recognised by the UK government, and the genocide in Darfur.

27 January marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp.

The Holocaust threatened the fabric of civilisation, and discrimination and persecution must still be resisted every day. Our world often feels fragile and vulnerable and we cannot be complacent. Wherever it takes place, including in the UK, prejudice and the language of hatred must be challenged by us all.

HMD is for everyone. Each year across the UK, we bring people together to learn more about the past, empathise more with people today, and work to build a better future.

Together we bear witness for communities who suffered attempted annihilation, and honour the survivors and all those whose lives were changed beyond recognition.

Read more about the work of Holocaust Memorial Day Trust here. 

HMD 2025 theme

HMD 2025 theme

Explore the theme for Holocaust Memorial Day 2025: For a Better Future. Click here to read our theme vision, which outlines the different ways the theme can be explored.

Candles for 80 Years

Candles for 80 Years

To mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau in 2025, communities and organisations from across the UK are taking part in our arts and education project, 80 Candles for 80 Years.

Light the darkness

Light the darkness

Each year people across the UK take part in a national moment for HMD. They light a candle in their window to remember those murdered and to stand against hatred today.

Memorial Pages

Memorial Pages

Our Memorial Pages are a unique digital space where you can learn about lives cut short by genocide, and create a lasting personalised tribute for someone who was murdered during genocide.

Interactive website

Interactive website

Explore the innovative Ordinary Objects Extraordinary Journeys website that we developed in partnership with The National Holocaust Centre and Museum and the Jewish Museum of Greece.

Generations exhibition

Generations exhibition

See the digital exhibition, previously on display at IWM London and UNESCO, featuring over 50 portraits from 13 esteemed photographers, including HRH The Duchess of Cambridge.