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100th Anniversary of Raoul Wallenberg’s Birth – Righteous Among the Nations

January 24, 2012
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Raoul Wallenberg—a Righteous Among the Nations—who, of his own volition, carried out diplomatic duties for the Swedish government in Hungary during the German occupation. He was responsible for saving thousands of Hungarian Jews from certain death in Auschwitz through a variety of diverse, risky, and unconventional initiatives, primarily during the second half of 1944.

Although he had the support of the Swedish government, the World Jewish Congress, the U.S. government, and many private individuals, his work meant constantly putting his own life at risk in an effort to save his fellow human beings.

Wallenberg disappeared in February 1945 while in the custody of Soviet occupation forces in Hungary. To this day, his final fate remains unknown.

By honoring Wallenberg, we pay tribute to those who choose to do the right thing in extreme circumstances, and they serve as an inspiration in the fight against antisemitism, xenophobia, and all other forms of discrimination.

Today, the International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation aims to preserve the memory of the Righteous Among the Nations.