Holocaust Remembrance Day

By Office of Communications & Marketing | Jan 27, 2026

On January 27, Downstate joins the global community in observing International Holocaust Remembrance Day, designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2005. On this solemn day, we remember and honor the millions of lives lost during the Holocaust: six million Jews, 250,000 people with disabilities, 250,000 Romani people, nearly 2,000 Jehovah’s Witnesses, and countless LGBTQ+ individuals, all targeted and murdered by the Nazi regime.

This day marks the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi German concentration and extermination camp, by Soviet forces on January 27, 1945. The scale and brutality of the atrocities committed during the Holocaust remain a stark and enduring reminder of the devastating consequences of hatred, prejudice, and indifference.

At Downstate, we reaffirm our commitment to preserving the lessons of the Holocaust and to fostering a community rooted in dignity, compassion, and respect. As an institution dedicated to education, healthcare, and service, we recognize our responsibility to promote a world in which diversity is celebrated, human rights are upheld, and every life is valued.

Together, we honor the memory of those who perished and renew our resolve to confront and combat antisemitism, bigotry, and intolerance in all its forms. By remembering the past, we strengthen our commitment to building a more just, inclusive, and humane future.

Tags: observances