European Day of Remembrance for victims of totalitarian and authoritarian regimes

August 23 marks the European Day of Remembrance for the victims of all totalitarian and authoritarian regimes, also known as the Black Ribbon Day. This date was chosen to commemorate the signing of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact on August 23, 1939, between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. The non-aggression agreement included secret protocols that allowed the two regimes to partition Eastern Europe and dictate the fates of millions, an event that led to the invasion and eventual division of Poland.

While established politically by the European Parliament, this date is not a formal public holiday nor is it governed by a binding European directive. It serves as a reminder of the historical cooperation between the regimes of Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin. The commemoration remains a point of significant political friction, as it challenges narratives that frame the Soviet Union solely as an adversary to Nazi Germany, highlighting instead their collaboration at the onset of World War II.

The day serves to honor victims of mass crimes committed by both Stalinist and Nazi systems. The legacy of the pact and its interpretation continues to trigger intense political and historical debate across Europe today, particularly concerning how different ideologies are held accountable for atrocities committed during the 20th century.