Survivors of Auschwitz leave the concentration camp at the end of World War II in February 1945. Above them is the German slogan "Arbeit macht frei," which translates to "Work sets you free."
In pictures: The liberation of Auschwitz
Survivors of Auschwitz leave the concentration camp at the end of World War II in February 1945. Above them is the German slogan "Arbeit macht frei," which translates to "Work sets you free."
Galerie Bilderwelt/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Updated 1746 GMT (0146 HKT) January 27, 2020

The Soviet Army liberated the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland on January 27, 1945.

About 7,000 prisoners were in the camp when the Soviets arrived. Those left behind were too weak or sick to move when Nazi SS officers forced nearly 60,000 prisoners to march west as the Soviets approached.

Historians estimate more than 1 million Jews, Gypsies, Soviet prisoners of war and Poles were murdered at the camp.

Prisoner identification photos of child inmates at the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp were taken by Polish portrait photographer and fellow prisoner Wilhelm Brasse, who was ordered to document prisoners in the camp.
Prisoner identification photos of child inmates at the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp were taken by Polish portrait photographer and fellow prisoner Wilhelm Brasse, who was ordered to document prisoners in the camp.
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Children are seen just after the liberation by the Soviets.
Children are seen just after the liberation by the Soviets.
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Ivan Dudnik, a 15-year-old Russian, is rescued. The teen was described as insane from the treatment at the camp.
Ivan Dudnik, a 15-year-old Russian, is rescued. The teen was described as insane from the treatment at the camp.
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Civilians and soldiers recover corpses from common graves shortly after the liberation.
Civilians and soldiers recover corpses from common graves shortly after the liberation.
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A few survivors of Auschwitz stand near the fence during the arrival of the Red Army on January 27,1945.
A few survivors of Auschwitz stand near the fence during the arrival of the Red Army on January 27,1945.
Galerie Bilderwelt/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
A pile of glasses are found in the Auschwitz concentration camp.
A pile of glasses are found in the Auschwitz concentration camp.
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Child survivors of Auschwitz show their tattooed arms.
Child survivors of Auschwitz show their tattooed arms.
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Female survivors in the barracks at the camp. Hundreds of prisoners were housed in the crowded quarters.
Female survivors in the barracks at the camp. Hundreds of prisoners were housed in the crowded quarters.
Galerie Bilderwelt/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Survivors of Auschwitz stand behind a barbed wire fence. Some of the children are seen wearing adult clothing they were dressed in by Soviet soldiers.
Survivors of Auschwitz stand behind a barbed wire fence. Some of the children are seen wearing adult clothing they were dressed in by Soviet soldiers.
Galerie Bilderwelt/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Prosthetic limbs taken from executed prisoners are seen in a pile at the camp.
Prosthetic limbs taken from executed prisoners are seen in a pile at the camp.
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Soviet soldiers are seen with liberated prisoners.
Soviet soldiers are seen with liberated prisoners.
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