Museum Statement on International Holocaust Remembrance Day

From the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum:

WASHINGTON, DC – The Holocaust was the systematic, state-sponsored murder of six million Jews by Nazi Germany and its collaborators. Nazi ideology cast the world as a racial struggle, and the singular focus on the total destruction of every Jewish person was at its racist core. Millions of other innocent civilians were persecuted and murdered by the Nazis, but the elimination of Jews was central to Nazi policy. As Elie Wiesel said, “Not all victims were Jews, but all Jews were victims.”

The Holocaust teaches us profound truths about human societies and our capacity for evil. An accurate understanding of this history is critical if we are to learn its lessons and honor its victims.

A living memorial to the Holocaust, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum inspires citizens and leaders worldwide to confront hatred, prevent genocide, and promote human dignity. Its far-reaching education programs and global impact are made possible by generous donors.

Doing It While You're Here

Phil Ochs: Singer-songwriter
who died this day in 1976

'Can't be singing louder than the guns when I'm gone'

Forty years ago today marks the death of one of the greatest singer-songwriters in American history, Phil Ochs.

Ochs died tragically in 1976.

He lived 35 years as an artist, poet, civil rights and peace movement champion during an epoch of American music when absent a political message, many would ask, 'what's he-she trying to say?'

No one asked the question when Ochs sang.