Sunday was International Holocaust Remembrance Day, an occasion not widely observed in the United States, including Iowa, although it certainly should be. The date was chosen by United Nations resolution in 2005 because Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest of the Nazi concentration and death camps, was liberated by Soviet forces on Jan. 27, 1945. There are other commemorations, most notably, in Israel, Yom HaShoah, this year May 1-2. Britain has observed a remembrance day on Jan. 27 since 2001.
We've all heard a good many references to the Holocaust during the Trump administration as white nationalism, xenophobia, anti Semitism, homophobia and other forms of wickedness poke their noses out from under the rocks where they've been hiding.
But some of the studies I've read suggest that factual information about the Holocaust is in short supply among Americans in general. There are relatively few holocaust deniers among the general population, studies suggest. But as much as a third of the population --- and a higher percentage of those we call Millennials (who came of age early in the 21st century) --- tend to underestimate the Holocaust's scale and to be uncertain about its causes and ramifications.
On approachable place for Iowans to begin is the Iowa Holocaust Memorial, located on the grounds of the state capitol in Des Moines. It's Web site is located here.
And here's a very brief but informative video from the British Holocaust Memorial Day Trust.
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