This Day in History August 23, 2009

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I was not aware of this holiday, and I think it a very important one.  On this date in 2009, European's Parliament passed a resolution that August 23 would be known as International Black Ribbon Day or European Remembrance Day for Victims of Nazism and Stalinism.  Canada also recognizes this day as Black Ribbon Day.

The question may be asked why August 23?  On this date in 1939, the Treaty of Non-Aggression between Germany and the Soviet Union was enacted. This agreement allowed both Germany and the USSR to invade Poland and Finland.  It was a sort of combined forces between them which did not end so well because ultimately, the Nazis invaded the Soviet Union.

Tens of millions of people died under these horrific regimes.  Unfortunately, I do not know if the world has learned from the past.  I believe that there are still countries today who are practicing similar atrocities to these regimes.  I would like to think nothing like this could ever happen, but I know of the depravity of humanity.  But at least this "holiday" gives us a way to remember the victims of these horrible times.

For more information, please check out:
http://www.day.kiev.ua/299803/
http://spinassassin.blogspot.com/2010/08/international-black-ribbon-day.html
http://blackribbonday.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Day_of_Remembrance_for_Victims_of_Stalinism_and_Nazism