Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Remembrance Day (Yom HaShoah)2026 · Date · History · Messages
The President of Israel addressed the official state opening ceremony on 13 April 2026, beginning the 2026 Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Remembrance Day observance.
About Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Remembrance Day (Yom HaShoah)
Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Remembrance Day, commonly called Yom HaShoah, is Israel’s national day of Holocaust remembrance. The Knesset describes its legal basis as the Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Remembrance Day Law of 1959 and its normal Hebrew-calendar date as 27 Nisan or nearby when calendar rules require an adjustment.
In 2026, the remembrance day fell on April 14, with the official state opening ceremony on the evening of April 13. The Hebrew-calendar date changes on the civil calendar: no future Gregorian date should be treated as permanently fixed without year-specific verification.
Why Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Remembrance Day (Yom HaShoah) matters
The day commemorates Jewish victims murdered in the Holocaust and resistance and acts of heroism. It is an occasion for historically grounded remembrance, not for speculation about private survivor identities.
Institutions such as Yad Vashem encourage remembrance through documented testimony, historical education and respectful attention to individual lives.
History of Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Remembrance Day (Yom HaShoah)
The Knesset enacted the Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Remembrance Day Law in 1959. The legislation establishes a national observance associated with 27 Nisan, with adjustments when the date falls too close to Shabbat.
Yad Vashem’s 2026 remembrance material records April 14, 2026 / 27 Nisan 5786. The President of Israel opened the official ceremony on April 13, 2026, consistent with an evening start under the Hebrew calendar.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
Knesset of Israel
Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Remembrance Day Law, 5719–1959
Israeli state institutions and Yad Vashem
2026 state opening and 2026 names-remembrance material.
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.
4 fields not established in reviewed sources
Also known as
Yom HaShoah
How to Observe Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Remembrance Day (Yom HaShoah)
Study historical evidence from established Holocaust memorial and archival institutions, including Yad Vashem.
Take part in a respectful public names-remembrance or educational ceremony when available.
Avoid sharing unverified private stories, graphic imagery or survivor details without consent.
Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Remembrance Day (Yom HaShoah) Facts
Israel’s Knesset established the observance by a 1959 law.
The usual Hebrew date is 27 Nisan, subject to statutory calendar adjustments.
The 2026 civil date was April 14; the state opening occurred the previous evening.
Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Remembrance Day (Yom HaShoah) Messages
Remember the individuals behind historical numbers with dignity.
Honor victims and survivors without appropriating personal stories.
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.
- Confirm the date again before carrying it into a new year.
- 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.
Knesset — Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Remembrance Day / 1959 Law (opens in a new tab)
Yad Vashem — 2026 Remembrance Day programme (opens in a new tab)
National Institution
Office of the President of Israel — Yom HaShoah 2026 state opening (opens in a new tab)
National Government
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 Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Remembrance Day (Yom HaShoah)?
14 April 2026; official state opening on the evening of 13 April The documented recurrence rule is: Refresh the authoritative target-year edition/schedule; current stored evidence: 14 April 2026; official state opening on the evening of 13 April.
Does Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Remembrance Day (Yom HaShoah) fall on the same date every year?
Not automatically. This date is specific to a particular edition and should be confirmed for another year.
Is Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Remembrance Day (Yom HaShoah) an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: Israel / national Holocaust 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 Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Remembrance Day (Yom HaShoah)?
The reviewed sources identify Knesset of Israel as the proclaiming or establishing body. Current facilitation or coordination is recorded as Israeli state institutions and Yad Vashem.
Is Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Remembrance Day (Yom HaShoah) international or country-specific?
This observance is specific to Israel. Its fuller verified scope is: Israel / national Holocaust remembrance observance.
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 2026-10-09.
When was Yom HaShoah in 2026?
Tuesday, April 14, 2026; the official state opening ceremony took place on April 13.
Why does the Gregorian date change?
It follows the Hebrew calendar, normally 27 Nisan, with adjustments under Israeli law.
Is Yom HaShoah the same as International Holocaust Remembrance Day?
No. Yom HaShoah is the Israeli national observance; International Holocaust Remembrance Day is on January 27.
Is a 2027 civil-calendar date permanently fixed?
No. Consult an official 2027 Israeli institutional schedule for the applicable Hebrew-calendar and ceremony dates.