All articles tagged with #memorial events
Raila Odinga, a prominent Kenyan opposition leader and former prime minister, was buried in Bondo after a series of memorial events that drew thousands, including political figures and international figures like Barack Obama. His death at age 80 sparked widespread mourning, but also chaos and violence during the memorials, with several deaths and injuries. Odinga was celebrated for his dedication to democracy and justice in Kenya.
South Korea is commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Sewol ferry tragedy with memorial events across the country, including an offshore ceremony near Jindo Island and a cultural festival at Mokpo New Port. Other ceremonies will be held at locations such as Incheon Family Park and Daejeon National Cemetery. The National Human Rights Commission emphasized the need for institutional improvements to prevent similar disasters in the future.
St. Petersburg commemorated the 80th anniversary of the end of the Nazi siege, with Russian President Vladimir Putin laying flowers at monuments and attending memorial events. The Red Army broke the blockade on Jan. 19, 1943, after more than 1 million residents perished from hunger and bombardments. Blockade survivor Irina Zimneva shared her haunting memories of the deadly winter, and an open-air exhibition in the city provided poignant reminders of the harrowing moments during the siege. World War II remains a crucial part of Russia's national identity, and officials emphasize the USSR's role in the war while also seeking to make a link between Nazism and Ukraine.
Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter was laid to rest in a private burial following a funeral service at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia. The three days of memorial events included a tribute service attended by President Biden, Vice President Harris, and all living former first ladies. Rosalynn Carter's son, Chip Carter, shared that his father, former President Jimmy Carter, was by her side in her final moments, expressing his love and gratitude before asking for privacy. The small town of Plains showed their respect for the Carter family during the funeral procession.
Annual memorial events are being held in lower Manhattan to mark the 22nd anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, where nearly 3,000 people were killed. The ceremony includes the reading of the names of those who died, and CBS News New York is streaming the coverage. The remains of victims are still being identified, and advancements in DNA technology recently led to the identification of two victims. The attacks also exposed many people to toxic air and debris, resulting in post-9/11 related illnesses and deaths.