In November of 2005, the United Nations General Assembly created an international day of remembrance for the many victims of the Holocaust. On January 27, 2019, people from over the world took the time to honor the millions of Jewish victims of the Holocaust. January 27th has been deemed the International Holocaust Remembrance Day because it was on this day that the Auschwitz-Birkenau Nazi concentration camp was liberated. While the International Holocaust Remembrance Day serves to honor the victims, it also helps educate people about the Holocaust so that future genocides may be prevented. 

Sources: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

On January 22, 2019, Florida voters were able to vote on the banning of plastic straws. Straws have now been banned in Fort Lauderdale and Coral Gables due to the environmental threats they pose. One estimate shows that Americans use around 500 million plastic straws in one day. Eight million tons of plastic end up in the oceans each year. By banning plastic straws, supporters hope to this law will help the environment while also helping Floridians become more conscious of damage that has been done to the environment. 

Sources: Miami New Times, National Geographic

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