European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism Date in the current year: August 23, 2025
European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism is observed in the countries of Europe on August 23. This day commemorates the death of people, who became victims of totalitarian ideologies, especially Stalinism (communism) and Nazism (fascism).The European Parliament established this remembrance day in 2008. This day was officially observed in 2009 by countries members of the EU. This remembrance day is supported by the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly.
August 23 was chosen to be the date of the observance to coincide with the day, when the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact was signed by the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany. In fact the two countries agreed to divide eastern Europe between themselves.
Observation of this remembrance day originates in the protests held in western cities against the Soviet crimes and occupation in the 1980s. The protests, initiated by Canadian refugees from the countries occupied by the Soviet Union, culminated in The Baltic Way demonstrations and contributed to liberation of the Baltic states.
European Day of Remembrance is also observed in the USA and Canada, but this day is known as Black Ribbon Day.
- Category
- Anniversaries and Memorial Days
- Country
- European Union
- Tags
- european day of remembrance for victims of stalinism and nazism, remembrance day, black ribbon day, molotov-ribbentrop pact