What Is the Holocaust?
The word holocaust comes from the Greek meaning "to sacrifice by fire." The Holocaust is the systematic killing of people by the German government under the rule of Adolf Hitler that took place between 1933 and 1945. During that time, approximately eleven million people were killed as a result of the Holocaust. Of that eleven million, approximately six million were of Jewish descent, and the other five million were from a variety of groups, including people who spoke out against Nazi rule, homosexuals, physically handicapped, and artists, just to name a few. Click here to see a short video about the Holocaust.
How Much Is 6 Million?
Click the image to view the short clip that displays the "Paperclip Project," a program started in Tennessee to help 8th graders learn just how much 6 million really is.
Why Learn about the Holocaust?
It is important to remember those that died during the Holocaust not only because they were lost, but also because it is important that we learn what hatred can do. It is often said that those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Understanding the events that led up to the Holocaust can help people see warning signs if anything like that is ever to happen again. Also, there are many people today who claim the Holocaust never happened, and with very few Holocaust survivors alive today due to age, it is important for later generations to carry on the message, "Always Remember." One way we remember is through the work conducted by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Click here to see a short video about the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.