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After 1945


End of WWII, Aftermath of the Holocaust, and Genocide after 1945

Mourners and local residents shovel dirt into the mass grave of the victims of the Kielce pogrom during the public burial. [LCID: 14390]

Mourners and local residents shovel dirt into the mass grave of the victims of the Kielce pogrom during the public burial.

—⁠US Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Leah Lahav

As Allied troops drove German troops towards defeat, they uncovered Nazi camps and massive evidence of Nazi crimes. The war had uprooted millions who were now “displaced persons” (DPs) waiting for repatriation to their home countries. For tens of thousands of Holocaust survivors, the choices were limited and daunting. Allied occupation forces faced enormous responsibilities: housing and feeding DPs, denazifying and democratizing Germany, and bringing those responsible for Nazi crimes to justice. This section also addresses genocides that have occurred since the Holocaust.

Highlighted events

  1. July 04, 1946

    Kielce Pogrom

  2. October 01, 1946

    Nuremberg Trial Verdicts

  3. September 02, 1998

    First Conviction for Genocide

All events After 1945

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