Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives During the Second World War

World War Two (WWII) was from 1st September 1939 to 2nd September 1945 and involved the Axis powers — Germany, Italy, and Japan — and the Allies — France, Great Britain, the United States, the Soviet Union, and, to a lesser extent, China, as well as all signatories to the Declaration of the United Nations, including Australia and New Zealand. This war brought untold sorrow to humankind, particularly in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Pacific. An epic struggle for freedom and liberation, 40 million civilians and 20 million soldiers died. WWII was marked by fascism, tyranny, the Holocaust and other grave and horrendous crimes committed by the Nazis. Victory in May 1945 marked the beginning of a new era. These two days called Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives During the Second World War are to overcome the legacy of WWII and to continue the international focus on reconciliation, international and regional cooperation and democratic values, human rights and fundamental freedoms, particularly through the United Nations.