Holocaust Remembrance Day or Yom HaShoah (in Hebrew) is commemorated annually on the 27th day of Nisan on the Jewish calendar marking the anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising. The date was selected by the Israeli Parliament, Knesset, on April 12, 1951. Yom HaShoah became formalized into law on August 19, 1953. Although the date was established by the Israeli government, it has become a day commemorated by Jewish communities and individuals worldwide.

In Israel, Yom HaShoah is commemorated by a one minute blare of sirens throughout the country; it is observed in silence. Wherever Israelis are, they stop what they are doing - if they are driving, they pull their cars over to the side of the road and stand next to their vehicles, if they are at home or in their business, often they will go outside or stand where they are. It is a unifying moment, cutting across religious barriers, generation gaps and economic status.

The United States Congress passed legislation in 1980 establishing the national Days of Remembrance as our nation's annual commemoration for the victims of the Holocaust. The Tennessee Holocaust Commission organizes and plans the Tennessee State Commemoration annually.  This year's Tennessee State Day of Remembrance was held on March 7th prior to the end of the legislative session.

This year the National Holocaust Day of Remembrance is April 23, 2017. Many communities will be hosting commemorations across the country throughout the month.

Click Here for Warsaw Ghetto link

Click Here for Yom HaShoah Link