Over the years, some Jews and non-Jews have questioned why we continue to have a preoccupation with the Holocaust half a century later.

The answer is simple — so that we and the rest of the world will never forget.

Unfortunately, forgetting is becoming easier, and so is the attempt to revise history.

That is why it is important to join with Jews worldwide in commemorating Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, starting Monday at sundown.

In light of recent events, this year's commemoration has new significance.

For weeks, many in the Jewish world held their collective breath awaiting the outcome of the libel case filed by Holocaust denier David Irving against American Professor Deborah Lipstadt. Because the case was heard in British courts, where libel law is the reverse of that in the United States, it was incumbent on Lipstadt to prove that Irving was, in fact, a denier. She also had to prove that the Holocaust took place.

Imagine that. Having to prove the Holocaust took place.

After endless weeks of courtroom battles, the judge finally ruled in favor of Lipstadt and declared that Irving is indeed an anti-Semitic Holocaust denier.

Irving may have lost the trial but he and his ilk won't go away. Even Lipstadt said immediately after the verdict that "the nightmare is not over. There is no end to the battle against racism, anti-Semitism and fascism."

Irving wasted no time in proving Lipstadt right. He told Britain's Sky TV, "I will still continue to write what I find to be true history. I can't be intimidated."

Undoubtedly, Irving is now a martyr to his fellow anti-Semitic, Holocaust deniers. They will contend that the Jewish cabal used its clout to defeat him.

To defeat the lies that he and others are churning out, we must keep reminding each other and the rest of the world about the Holocaust. Join with us Monday evening in remembering our 6 million Jewish martyrs so that their beloved memories will live on for many generations.