Museum Remembrance Events

Days of Remembrance Commemoration Ceremony 

Since 1982, the Museum has organized and led the national Days of Remembrance ceremony in the US Capitol with Holocaust survivors, liberators, members of Congress, White House officials, the diplomatic corps, and community leaders in attendance.

2024 National Days of Remembrance Commemoration

Each year, the nation remembers the six million Jews who were murdered during the Holocaust and the other victims of Nazi persecution. The national ceremony featured a keynote address by President Joseph Biden. Every president since the Museum opened in 1993 has delivered the keynote address at a Days of Remembrance ceremony. House Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries also participated. The combined presence of these leaders is an important statement to our nation at this very challenging moment of alarming antisemitism and Holocaust denial.

Preserving the memory of the victims—while also honoring survivors, rescuers, and liberators—provides an opportunity to learn about how and why the Holocaust happened and to reflect on our common humanity. Their history warns us of the consequences when antisemitism remains unchecked and inspires people everywhere to confront hatred. 

Read the Museum's Statement on 2024 Days of Remembrance.

2023 National Days of Remembrance Commemoration

For the first time since 2019, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the national commemoration was held at the US Capitol. As we led the nation in remembering the six million Jews who were murdered, honoring the survivors, paying tribute to the rescuers, and celebrating the liberators, we were reminded of the power of their history to inspire people everywhere to confront antisemitism, all forms of group-targeted hate, and genocide.

2022 Days of Remembrance Commemoration

The event featured survivors telling their stories, and victims’ accounts presented through photographs and historical film footage from the Museum’s collection, with introductory reflections from Ambassador Stuart Eizenstat, chairman of the United States Holocaust Memorial Council.

2021 Days of Remembrance Commemoration

The commemoration featured remarks from US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, who has spoken of the importance of Holocaust remembrance and the personal impact of his family’s experience.

2020 Days of Remembrance Commemoration 

This digital event featured Holocaust survivors’ tributes to family members they lost, a stirring message from Benjamin Ferencz (the last living Nuremberg prosecutor), and timeless words from the late Elie Wiesel. The program closed with an opportunity for each one of us to make a personal pledge to safeguard the survivors’ legacy.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day

The UN General Assembly designated January 27—the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau—as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. On this annual day of commemoration, the UN urges every member state to honor the victims of the Nazi era and to develop educational programs to help prevent future genocides. Learn more.