Yesterday, April 7, 2017, was the 23RD Anniversary of the horrific genocide that occurred in the African nation of Rwanda. In this tragedy of genocide, neighbor was pitted against neighbor, friend against friend—relative against relative, as Tutsis and Hutus went to war against each other and against themselves.
Let us not forget this profound loss of life , but endeavor to remember all the lives lost—mother, father, brother, sister, son, daughter and so many, many others.
On this day, I remember your suffering.
On this day, I remember your sorrow.
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Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Rwanda Genocide
The United Nations (UN) has named April 7 as the Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Rwanda Genocide. This day commemorates the deaths of 800,000 people who were murdered during the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, central Africa.
What Do People Do
Many people around the world hold memorial ceremonies that include candle-lighting and a minute of silence to honor the victims of the Rwanda genocide. This UN day is also a time for diplomats and key community figures to talk with communities about the atrocities of genocide and the importance of working towards a peaceful way of life. Student conferences, exhibitions, and other commemorative activities are also held.
Public Life
The Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Rwanda Genocide is an official UN observance and not a public holiday.
Background
In 1994, in the space of three months, about 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed in Rwanda in what came to be known as the Rwanda genocide. In 1995, the UN called for an outreach program entitled “The Rwanda Genocide and the United Nations” and “to take measures to mobilize civil society for Rwanda genocide victim remembrance and education” to help prevent future acts of genocide. The Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Rwanda Genocide has been observed each year since 2004, 10 years after the genocide took place.
Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Rwanda Genocide Observances
| Weekday | Date | Year | Name | Holiday Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wed | Apr 7 | 2010 | Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Rwanda Genocide | United Nations observance |
| Thu | Apr 7 | 2011 | Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Rwanda Genocide | United Nations observance |
| Sat | Apr 7 | 2012 | Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Rwanda Genocide | United Nations observance |
| Sun | Apr 7 | 2013 | Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Rwanda Genocide | United Nations observance |
| Mon | Apr 7 | 2014 | Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Rwanda Genocide | United Nations observance |
| Tue | Apr 7 | 2015 | Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Rwanda Genocide | United Nations observance |
| Thu | Apr 7 | 2016 | Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Rwanda Genocide | United Nations observance |
| Fri | Apr 7 | 2017 | Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Rwanda Genocide | United Nations observance |
| Sat | Apr 7 | 2018 | Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Rwanda Genocide | United Nations observance |
| Sun | Apr 7 | 2019 | Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Rwanda Genocide | United Nations observance |
| Tue | Apr 7 | 2020 | Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Rwanda Genocide | United Nations observance |
Ann
BEAUTIFUL, ALSO, ARE THE SOULS OF MY BLACK SISTERS 