Between April 7th and July 15th of 1994 members of the Tutsi minority ethnic groups and some moderate Twa and Hutu were murdered by armed militias. It’s estimated that as many as 800, 000 Tutsi died during this 100-day period during the Rwandan Civil War. This event would become known as the Rwandan Genocide.

In December of 2003, a resolution was adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations making every April 7th a day remembering the victims of this horrible event. This holiday would be named Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Rwanda Genocide.

The History Of The Day Of Remembrance Of The Victims Of The Rwanda Genocide

During the Rwandan Civil War, almost 800,000 Tutsi, Hutus, and Twa were murdered during the 100-day period, and that even would eventually be named the Rwanda Genocide. The following year, the United Nations called for an outreach program to take measures to mobilize civil society for genocide victim remembrance and to educate the public about the event. Eventually, this outreach program would lead to an annual holiday called the  Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Rwanda Genocide.

Observing The Day Of Remembrance Of The Victims Of The Rwanda Genocide

On this day, the people of Rwanda and people around the world remember the victims of the Rwandan Genocide through candle-lit vigils and holding special services for the victims. It’s also a day on which a moment of silence is held for the victims. It’s also a day for United Nations officials to talk to community members and diplomats to talk with their communities about the importance of peace and the horrors of genocide.

Since it’s a United Nations observance and not a public holiday, government offices and businesses are not closed on this day. On social media, people use the hashtag #RwandanGenocide to keep the memory of the victims alive and to hopefully prevent something like this from ever happening again.