History of Genocide in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 7, 2026

Genocide is the intentional destruction, in whole or in part, of a human group. While often associated with mass killings, the legal and scholarly definition extends beyond lethal acts to include actions targeting the group's existence, such as preventing births, forcibly transferring children, and cultural destruction. The focus is on the targeting of the group itself, aiming to eliminate its identity or future.

1941: Raphael Lemkin coins the term genocide

In 1941, Polish-Jewish lawyer Raphael Lemkin began coining the term 'genocide', combining the Greek word 'genos' ('race, people') with the Latin suffix '-caedo' ('act of killing').

1942: Lemkin Submits 'Axis Rule in Occupied Europe'

In early 1942, Raphael Lemkin submitted the manuscript for his book 'Axis Rule in Occupied Europe'.

1943: Raphael Lemkin coins the term genocide

Between 1941 and 1943, Polish-Jewish lawyer Raphael Lemkin coined the term 'genocide', combining the Greek word 'genos' ('race, people') with the Latin suffix '-caedo' ('act of killing').

1944: 'Axis Rule in Occupied Europe' Published

In 1944, Raphael Lemkin's book 'Axis Rule in Occupied Europe' was published as the Holocaust was coming to light outside Europe.

1946: Lemkin brings criminalize genocide proposal to the UN

In 1946, Lemkin brought his proposal to criminalize genocide to the newly established United Nations.

1946: Term 'genocide' mentioned in verdict.

In 1946, the Polish court that convicted SS official Arthur Greiser was the first to mention the term 'genocide' in a verdict, using Lemkin's original definition.