By Carlos Haag, FSWC Educator

On January 27, 1945, Soviet troops liberated Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest German Nazi concentration and extermination camp. They found approximately 7,000 survivors, most of them gravely ill, alongside the remains of the camp's infrastructure: crematoria, gas chambers, and barracks. The retreating Nazis had destroyed much of the camp to hide their abominable crimes.

Still, the evidence of mass murder and inhumanity was undeniable. The liberation of Auschwitz marked a turning point in the world's understanding of the Holocaust. So, in 2005, the United Nations designated January 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day to commemorate the victims of the Holocaust and to mark this tragic historic event.

More than 1.1 million people were murdered there, mostly Jews, alongside Poles, Romani and Sinti people, Soviet prisoners of war and others targeted by the Nazis. Although there were other extermination camps in Nazi-occupied Poland, Auschwitz was the largest and today remains a tragic monument that evokes the full scale of the genocide. It underscores the catastrophic consequences of unchecked hatred and totalitarianism of the Nazi regime and its collaborators.

For teachers, January 27 provides a significant opportunity to connect students with the historical dimensions of the Holocaust. This can include teaching about the origins of Auschwitz in 1940, its expansion into a death camp in 1942, and its role as a central site of the Nazis' "Final Solution." Incorporating the testimonies of survivors, such as Primo Levi or Elie Wiesel, offers a human perspective on these dark events while grounding the discussion in documented history.

However, January 27 is not only a time for remembrance - it is also a call to action. It urges us to teach empathy, respect and vigilance, reminding students that "Never Again" requires more than words. It demands active resistance to injustice in all forms, no matter how small or distant it may seem. By honouring the past, we can inspire a commitment to a more just and compassionate world - one where the lessons of Auschwitz continue to shape our collective humanity.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day also illustrates the importance of understanding how ordinary societal structures - laws, propaganda and institutions - were co-opted to facilitate genocide. Teaching this history helps students critically analyze the conditions that enable mass atrocities and recognize the warning signs of intolerance, authoritarianism and systemic discrimination.

As we remember the liberation of Auschwitz, the lessons of this history challenge us to be vigilant against all forms of hatred and prejudice. By studying the events leading up to the Holocaust and their devastating consequences, we ensure that this knowledge informs the present and helps shape a future where such crimes against humanity are never repeated.

Suggestions of ways to recognize International Holocaust Remembrance Day: https://www.yadvashem.org/remembrance/intl-remembrance-day.html