Day Of The Victims Of Holocaust And Of Racial Violence
In Slovakia, the Day of the Victims of Holocaust and of Racial Violence is a holiday observed annually on September 9th. This holiday was first established by the Slovak Parliament in 2000 to commemorate the day in 1941 when the Slovak government issued a decree on the legal status of Jews in the country.
Slovakia (Observance)This decree, known as the Jewish Codex, led to the deportation of Jews from the country, ultimately resulting in the murder of approximately 70,000 Slovak Jews. The holiday was created to ensure that this event remains fresh in the minds of all Slovaks, so that such a tragedy is never repeated.
The History of the Day of the Victims of Holocaust and of Racial Violence in Slovakia
Nazi Germany occupied most of the territory that constitutes modern-day Slovakia in 1939. The government, under Nazi influence, then passed the Jewish Codex. This code was similar to the Nuremberg Laws passed in Germany. Jews in the country were required to identify themselves with a yellow star, and they were prohibited from intermarrying with non-Jewish Slovaks and from holding many jobs in the country.
It wasn’t long before the deportation of Slovak Jews began, with approximately 70,000 Slovak Jews being deported and eventually executed. In 2001, the Slovak Parliament declared this day a remembrance holiday to ensure that current and future generations do not allow such atrocities to occur again.
Observing the Day of the Victims of Holocaust and of Racial Violence in Slovakia
This holiday is observed with solemn ceremonies held across Slovakia. These include laying wreaths at the Holocaust Memorial located in Bratislava. Ceremonies are also attended by politicians, civil leaders, and members of the Jewish community on this day. This holiday is not a public holiday, so it is not a day off for the general population, and businesses and schools operate according to normal operating hours.
Slovakia (Observance)
