Yom Hazikaron: Day of Remembrance for the Fallen Soldiers of Israel | Palo Alto

Submitted by the Event Organizer

Yom Hazikaron is the Day of Remembrance for the Fallen Soldiers of Israel and Victims of Terrorism. It is Israel’s official Memorial Day, enacted into law in 1963.

As of Yom Hazikaron 2016, the number of fallen soldiers and victims of terror was 23,447. The day opens with a siren the preceding evening, which is heard all over the country. It lasts for one minute, during which time Israelis stop everything (including driving, stopping traffic on highways) and stand in silence, commemorating the fallen and showing respect.

A two-minute siren is sounded at 11:00 AM the next morning, which marks the opening of the official memorial ceremonies and private remembrance gatherings at each cemetery where soldiers are buried. That evening, as Yom Hazikaron comes to an end, celebrations begin for Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day.

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