Origin

In May 1998, the Swedish, British and US Governments established the “task force for International Co-operation on Holocaust Education, Remembrance and Research” They were subsequently joined by Germany, Israel, Poland, the Netherlands, France and Italy.

At the Washington Conference on Holocaust-Era Assets in December of the same year, Task Force members issued a joint declaration stating, inter alia, that “Holocaust education, remembrance and research strengthen humanity’s ability to absorb and learn from the dark lessons of the past, so that we can ensure that similar horrors are never again repeated.” Other nations were similarly called to strengthen their efforts in these fields, and to undertake new ones where necessary.

In the Autumn of 1999 the Home Office at the behest of the Prime Minister issued a consultation document to targeted individuals and interest groups, a clear majority of whom expressed support for an inclusive and forward looking Holocaust Memorial Day. It was therefore decided that Holocaust Memorial Day would be commemorated on 27 January, the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. The first national ceremony took place in 2001 in London.