The United Kingdom will establish a new annual national day dedicated to honouring and remembering victims and survivors of terrorism, the government has announced.
A New National Commemoration
This significant addition to the national calendar will take place each year on 21 August, starting from 2026. The date was specifically chosen to align with the United Nations International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism.
The commemorations will be held in a different location across the country annually, reflecting the widespread impact of terrorist incidents throughout the UK. This rotating approach acknowledges that terrorism has affected communities from London to Manchester and beyond.
Overwhelming Public Support
The initiative follows a comprehensive 12-week public consultation that revealed 91% of respondents supported the creation of a national day, with an impressive 84% expressing strong backing for the proposal.
According to the Home Office, the final details of how the day will be observed – including its official name and symbol – will be developed collaboratively between terrorism survivors and government ministers.
Voices from the Survivor Community
Jo Berry, whose father Sir Anthony Berry was killed in the IRA Brighton hotel bombing in 1984, welcomed the announcement, stating that victims of terrorism would no longer be "a footnote of history."
"What we remember as a nation matters," she said. "It sends a signal about what we value. For too long, survivors of terror attacks, and those who have been killed in them, have been a footnote of history. Survivors have felt ignored and forgotten."
Berry revealed that Survivors Against Terror launched the campaign for this memorial day three years ago.
Travis Frain, who survived the Westminster Bridge attack in 2017, also expressed his support for the initiative. He stated: "A national day would provide an opportunity to remember those we have lost, to pay tribute to the bravery and resilience of those who have survived these heinous acts, and for us to look forward to the future to educate the next generation."
Purpose and Additional Support
The national day will serve multiple important functions. It will:
- Honour and remember victims and survivors of terrorism
- Encourage survivors to access specialist support services
- Spotlight personal stories of survival and resilience
- Educate the public about the impact of terrorism
In addition to the memorial day, the government has announced plans for a new support hub to assist victims in the immediate aftermath of terror attacks, providing crucial assistance during the most challenging times.
This comprehensive approach represents a significant step forward in acknowledging the lasting impact of terrorism on individuals and communities across the United Kingdom.
