Happy Thursday. On this day 77 years ago, Soviet forces reached the Auschwitz concentration camp, liberating thousands of Jewish prisoners who had not already been evacuated by the Nazis and forced into a death march.

On this Holocaust Remembrance Day, take a moment to commemorate the millions upon millions of victims of Nazi hatred and reflect on the societal forces that allowed such atrocities to persist.

Quick Hits: Today’s Top Stories

• NBC News reported Wednesday that Justice Stephen Breyer, 83, will retire from the Supreme Court at the end of the current term, paving the way for President Joe Biden to appoint a younger successor to the court. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer declared Biden’s nominee will “receive a prompt hearing” and be confirmed “with all deliberate speed.”

• Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters on Wednesday the Biden administration had delivered a written response to Moscow that responds to Russia’s recent demands surrounding NATO and Ukraine. “We’re open to dialogue, we prefer diplomacy, and we’re prepared to move forward where there is the possibility of communication and cooperation if Russia de-escalates its aggression toward Ukraine, stops the inflammatory rhetoric, and approaches discussions about the future of security in Europe in a spirit of reciprocity,” Blinken said.