German lawmakers reflected on the pains of the holocaust Friday and urged the world to learn from the past on this first international Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Former Nazi Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp

German Parliament Speaker Norbert Lammert said recent statements by Iran's president describing the Holocaust as a "myth" show the need for this day of remembrance. He said time will never diminish the need to commemorate the millions of Jews and others who died at the hands of the Nazis.

In Poland, leaders also participated in ceremonies to mark this day, 61 years ago, when Soviet troops liberated the Auschwitz concentration camp.

In November, the United Nations declared January 27 the International Day of Commemoration.  U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan has called those who deny the Holocaust "bigots." He said the Holocaust must always be remembered with shame and horror.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.