European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism2026 · Date · History · Messages
The European Parliament adopted Written Declaration P6_DCL(2008)0044 / P6_TA(2008)0439 on 23 September 2008 proposing 23 August as the European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism; later EU material continues the remembrance reference.
About European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism
The European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism is observed on 23 August as a European remembrance date for victims of totalitarian regimes.
The European Parliament adopted a written declaration in 2008 proposing the date, and later EU institutional material continues to refer to 23 August as an official day of remembrance.
Why European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism matters
The day is intended for remembrance of victims and reflection on the consequences of totalitarian repression, mass deportation and political violence.
Historical and political interpretations can be contested; a neutral guide should distinguish documented events and institutional texts from present-day partisan arguments.
History of European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism
On 23 September 2008, the European Parliament adopted Written Declaration P6_DCL(2008)0044 / P6_TA(2008)0439 proposing that 23 August be proclaimed the European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism.
The declaration links 23 August to the 1939 Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact and its secret protocols.
Later European Parliament and EU official-journal material continues to reference the remembrance day.
EU remembrance policy does not make 23 August a uniform paid or work-free public holiday across all Member States.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
Marianne Mikko, Christopher Beazley, Zita Gurmai, Alexander Alvaro and Inese Vaidere
The European Parliament written-declaration record lists these five Members as authors of P6_DCL(2008)0044.
European Parliament
P6_DCL(2008)0044 / P6_TA(2008)0439
Continues institutional recognition and commemoration of 23 August as a European remembrance day.
European Parliament / EU institutions · later resolutions and official-journal remembrance references
European Parliament and participating European/national institutions
Later EU institutional material continues to reference and support remembrance on 23 August; implementation and ceremonies vary by jurisdiction.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
3 fields not established in reviewed sources
Later institutional actions
Later recognition, renaming, mergers or date changes are kept separate from original establishment.
How to Observe European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism
Read the European Parliament’s adopted text and reputable historical archives before summarizing the date’s history.
Center victims and documented historical experiences rather than using the commemoration for partisan persuasion.
Distinguish EU-level remembrance recognition from each country’s own holiday, memorial and employment law.
When discussing Stalinism, Nazism or twentieth-century occupation, attribute contested interpretations and avoid collective blame toward present-day populations.
European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism Facts
The date is 23 August.
The European Parliament adopted the 2008 written declaration on 23 September 2008.
The declaration’s date rationale refers to the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact of 23 August 1939.
The observance is a remembrance day; it is not presented here as an EU-wide work-free holiday.
European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism Messages
May remembrance remain centered on victims, documented history and human dignity.
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
- Remembrance Civic Context Care.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
EUR-Lex — later EU Official Journal remembrance reference
European Parliament — adopted Written Declaration P6_DCL(2008)0044 / P6_TA(2008)0439
EUR-Lex — continuing remembrance reference (opens in a new tab)
Eu Official Journal
European Parliament — P6_TA(2008)0439 (opens in a new tab)
Eu Institution
European Parliament — written declaration adoption record (opens in a new tab)
Eu Institution
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism?
23 August The documented recurrence rule is: 23 August.
Does European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: European Union / European remembrance observance. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism?
The reviewed sources identify European Parliament as the proclaiming or establishing body. The proposer or originator is recorded separately as Marianne Mikko, Christopher Beazley, Zita Gurmai, Alexander Alvaro and Inese Vaidere. Current facilitation or coordination is recorded as European Parliament and participating European/national institutions.
Is European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism international or country-specific?
No single country is assigned to this observance. Its documented scope is: European Union / European remembrance observance. Use that scope rather than assuming worldwide or country-specific status.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-09-25.
When is the European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism?
It is observed on 23 August.
What did the European Parliament do in 2008?
It adopted a written declaration proposing that 23 August be proclaimed the European remembrance day.
Why 23 August?
The Parliament’s declaration links the date to the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact signed on 23 August 1939.
Is 23 August automatically a paid public holiday across the EU?
No. EU remembrance recognition should not be confused with uniform national employment or public-holiday rules.
Other observances on August 23
These observances are also listed on August 23, 2027.
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UNESCO 29 C/Resolution 40
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