As we all already know, the Holocaust was a state-sponsored genocide orchestrated by Nazi Germany, targeting millions of European Jews, Romani people, the intellectually disabled, political dissidents, and homosexuals between 1933 and 1945. The term “Holocaust” is derived from the Greek words “holos” (whole) and “kaustos” (burned), historically used to describe a sacrificial offering burned on an altar.

Adolf Hitler’s rise to power in 1933 marked the beginning of the systematic persecution of Jews and other minority groups. Hitler’s ideology was rooted in the belief of the superiority of the “Aryan” race and the need for “Lebensraum” (living space) for this race to expand. Anti-Semitic laws were enacted, and Jews were segregated into ghettos, stripped of their rights, and subjected to violence and discrimination.

The genocide reached its peak during World War II, with the establishment of extermination camps such as Auschwitz-Birkenau, Treblinka, and Sobibor. These camps were designed for mass murder, primarily through gas chambers, mass shootings, and forced labor. By the end of the war in 1945, approximately six million Jews and millions of other victims had perished.

The Holocaust remains a symbol of the ultimate human evil and a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked hatred and bigotry. It has been commemorated in museums, memorials, and cultural works worldwide, ensuring that the memory of the victims and the lessons of this dark chapter in history are never forgotten.