Today the Holocaust is viewed as the emblematic manifestation of absolute evil. Its revelation of the depths of human nature and the power of malevolent social and governmental structures has made it an essential topic of ethical discourse in fields as diverse as law, medicine, religion, government, and the military.
Many survivors report they heard a final plea from those who were killed: “Remember! Do not let the world forget.” To this responsibility to those they left behind, survivors have added a plea of their own: “Never again.” Never for the Jewish people. Never for any people. They hope that remembrance of the Holocaust can prevent its recurrence. In part because of their efforts, interest in the event has increased rather than diminished with the passage of time and in fact Holocaust Remembrance days are observed each year in many countries. More than half a century after the Holocaust, institutions, memorials, and museums continue to be built and films and educational curricula created to document and teach the history of the Holocaust to future generations.
Smoke-oil-on-linen-by-Samuel-Bak-1997Smoke, oil on linen by Samuel Bak, 1997.[Credits : © Pucker Gallery]
The-public-burning-of-un-Germanic-books-by-members-ofThe public burning of “un-Germanic” books by members of the SA and university students …[Credits : © Hulton Getty/Stone]
In-Nazi-Germany-Jews-were-required-to-wear-a-yellowIn Nazi Germany, Jews were required to wear a yellow Star of David on their clothing.[Credits : © United States Holocaust Memorial Museum]
SA-troops-lock-hands-to-prevent-Jews-from-entering-theSA troops lock hands to prevent Jews from entering the University of Vienna.[Credits : © National Archives/United States Holocaust Memorial Museum]
The-closing-of-the-Eldorado-a-homosexual-gathering-place-inThe closing of the Eldorado, a homosexual gathering place, in Berlin, 1933.[Credits : Landesbildstelle Berlin/United States Holocaust Memorial Museum]
Roll-call-of-Roma-prisoners-at-the-Dachau-concentration-campRoll call of Roma (Gypsy) prisoners at the Dachau concentration camp in Germany.[Credits : © Lydia Chagoll/United States Holocaust Memorial Museum]
German-troops-execute-a-small-group-of-PolesGerman troops execute a small group of Poles.[Credits : © Dokumentationarchiv des Oesterreicheischen Widerstandes/United States Holocaust Memorial Museum]
A-meeting-of-the-department-heads-of-the-Judenrat-forA meeting of the department heads of the Judenrat (“Jewish Council”) for the …[Credits : © Gila Flam—United States Holocaust Memorial Museum]
Documentary footage of crematory ovens and skeletal remains of victims of the Majdanek …[Credits : © National Archive and Records Administration]
Documentary film footage of mounds of hair, teeth, spectacles, children’s clothing, toys, and shoes …[Credits : © National Archive and Records Administration]
In 1933 Adolf Hitler’s National Socialists were voted into power, and the campaign of terror began. …[Credits : Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.]
U.S. soldiers, having defeated the German military, come face-to-face with the horrors of Nazi …[Credits : Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.]
Learn about the Yad Vashem Holocaust History Museum in Jerusalem.[Credits : Acquired from Vast Video]
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