Nov 08
Victims of Communism Memorial Day 2024
Each year on November 7, the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation marks National Day for the Victims of Communism to remember those who have suffered and died at the hands of communist regimes in the past, and to stand for those who are fighting for freedom today.
Presidential Message
Since 2017, the President has issued a yearly proclamation declaring November 7 as National Day for the Victims of Communism.
On November 7, 2019, President Trump held an event in the Oval Office in recognition of the National Day for the Victims of Communism. The delegation featured witnesses of communism, including Sirley Ávila León, Daniel Di Martino, Grace Jo, Nguyễn Ngọc Như Quỳnh (“Mother Mushroom”), and Amb. Aldona Wos.
Federal Recognition
On November 5, 2019, Former Representative Dan Lipinski (D-IL), Founding Co-Chair of the Victims of Communism Caucus, introduced a House Resolution expressing support for the designation of November 7 as the annual “Victims of Communism Memorial Day.”
State Recognition
In March of 2018, Virginia became the first state to officially recognize November 7 as “Victims of Communism Memorial Day” after passing a resolution spearheaded by Virginia Delegate Mark Cole. To date, Alabama, Arizona, California, Idaho, Florida, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Georgia, and Wisconsin. have passed resolutions to officially recognize November 7 as “Victims of Communism Memorial Day,” and seven others — Arkansas, Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina — are moving to do the same.
STATE UPDATES
Alabama: HJR 6
Arizona: HB 2559
Arkansas: IR 2019-0001
California: SB 1407
Florida: SB 1606, HB 5, HB 1553, & SB 1450
Georgia: HR 588
Idaho: SCR 119Illinois: HR 12
Missouri: HCR 28
New Jersey: AJR 99
Pennsylvania: HR 1116
South Carolina: HB 3473
Texas: HB 1057Utah: HB 116
Virginia: HJ 30
Wisconsin: JR 85
VOC’s goal is to see resolutions passed in all 50 states, so that more people will be aware of the vast human suffering caused by totalitarian regimes.
Local Recognition
In 2023, Salt Lake City designated November 7th as Victims of Communism Day. In 2020, as a result of educational efforts by our Victims of Communism – St. Louis Commission, St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson issued a Proclamation declaring November 7as Victims of Communism Memorial Day. The St. Louis Board of Aldermen passed a resolution on November 6, 2020, the eve of the 103rd anniversary of the Bolshevik revolution in Russia, honoring victims of communism. Our St. Louis Commission commemorated Victims of Communism Memorial Day on November 7, 2020 with an event that included the personal testimonies of a panel of witnesses, a film screening of First They Killed My Father, and expert training through an advocacy workshop designed to help St. Louisans educate others about the perils of communism.
