Israel will commemorate Yom Hazikaron, Israel’s national memorial day for fallen soldiers and victims of terror on Tuesday evening into Wednesday. Immediately following Yom Hazikaron, Israel will celebrate 70 years of existence on Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day.
Yom Hazikaron will begin Tuesday evening. Israelis will remember its 23,362 fallen through ceremonies and educational programs marked by one minute of silence at 8:00 pm. A second siren will designate two minutes of silence Wednesday morning. During the periods designated, just as in Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) which was recognized last week, Israelis stop everything they are doing, including driving, to honor the fallen.
IDF cemeteries will hold ceremonies for Israel’s fallen soldiers through out Israel. It is tradition for an Israeli flag with a black ribbon to be placed on each grave of those who fell in service of the State of Israel.
Yom Hazikaron was implemented in 1963 and is a national day of remembrance for all who have fallen for the creation of the State of Israel. It is one of four Jewish holidays and remembrance days added to the Jewish calendar since the establishment of the State of Israel.
This article originally appeared on Behold Israel, April 17, 2017, and reposted with permission.