Holocaust Memorial Day 2026

27 January 2026

Published: 7th January 2026

Bridging generations

It is over twenty years since Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) was introduced in the UK. The purpose was to have one day where all the elements of the horror of the Holocaust and the Nazi crimes could be learnt about and reflected upon. The Holocaust as an historical subject is on the National Curriculum, but after consideration it was realised that learning about the historical components of the Nazi period, how people were killed and the social and political conditions that enabled industrial mass murder, was not the same as reflecting on the moral implications and legacy. What is more, it is not just children aged 13/14 years at school (who may not be mature enough, and certainly don’t have enough life experience to truly comprehend the magnitude of what happened) who need to be able to take on some of the wider and most tragic elements of the events of the Holocaust and the violence of that time. Therefore, a remembrance day for the Holocaust was introduced. Each year a different focus is adopted, in part to understand and explore the scale and breadth of impact of what happened over 80 yeas ago and why it still matters.

For 2026 the theme is ‘Bridging Generations’, a reminder that is the responsibility of all ages to tell the stories of the people who were murdered, those who fought back, those who resisted, those who stood by, and those who chose to be perpetrators. It emphasises that communication between generations, sharing knowledge and information have a role in understanding the past, regardless of age or curriculum, to foster empathy and inspire action to ensure that the horrors of the past can be learnt from.

Today HMD serves as a springboard for a wider discussion on other genocides and crimes against humanity. Thus it ensures that the Holocaust is not just an historical event or one for a meaningless outpouring of grief but one that signals why racism, antisemitism, prejudice of the other and persecution of those who are different, have disabilities or have different ways of expressing their sexuality, are wrong and can lead to devastating effects across societies and generations.

The victims of the Holocaust and Nazi persecution included all ages, from newborns to the very elderly. Generations of knowledge and experience were lost and potential generations of hope for the future destroyed. It is fitting that this year the extent of loss is recognised and that it is through the cooperation of different people, including those of different ages, that knowledge and understanding can be shared, to fully discuss why the moral implications of the Holocaust and Nazi persecution are as important as the historical series of events and actions.

Webinar

Previous Holocaust Memorial Day webinars

General resources

Secondary resources

Primary resources