dirkdeklein
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In the heart of the Nazi-occupied Netherlands, a young woman named Geertruida van Lier, known as Truus, stood out as a symbol of courage and determination. With her fierce conviction and dedication to justice, she risked her life in the fight against the Nazi regime during World War II. Truus’s story is one of youthful…
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On the evening of October 26, 1989, an act of shocking violence shattered the routine of a British military installation in West Germany. At RAF Wildenrath, located near the Dutch border, Provisional IRA gunmen carried out an ambush that claimed the lives of RAF Corporal Maheshkumar Islania and his six-month-old daughter, Nivruti. While the Troubles…
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Erected in the dead of night on August 13, 1961, the Berlin Wall (known as Berliner Mauer in German) was a physical division between West Berlin and East Germany. Its purpose was to keep disaffected East Germans from fleeing to the West. When the Berlin Wall fell on November 9, 1989, its destruction was nearly…
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There were many attempts to assassinate Hitler; it is estimated that there have been around 42 attempts, some of which were quite bizarre. If any of them had been successful, the outcome of the war would have been drastically different. In fact, if the earlier ones in the 1920s and 1930s had succeeded, there may…
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You gave them a star to single them out. It made it easier for others to recognize them. You even put the word Jood, Jude, or Juif on the star. As if others didn’t know who they were. They were neighbours, friends, and colleagues. People knew, but they could or would not defend those wearing…
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Anyone who loves westerns or has an interest of the history of the so called Wild West, will undoubtedly have heard of “the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral”. The infamous event that took place in Tombstone, Arizona on October 26,1881. If you believe the Hollywood versions of the event, you’d think that the gunfight lasted…
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When people think of sports cars, Porsche often comes to mind. Its iconic design makes it instantly recognizable when spotted on the road. From 1962 to 1996, the Dutch police utilized Porsches for high-speed patrols, marking a significant chapter in the history of law enforcement vehicles. In the early 1960s, with no speed limits on…
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Madurodam, nestled in The Hague, Netherlands, is a miniature city that captures the essence of Dutch heritage and ingenuity. Spanning just a few hectares, it offers visitors a bird’s-eye view of the Netherlands, featuring intricate replicas of iconic landmarks, modern cities, and traditional villages. Opened in 1952, Madurodam is not only a delightful attraction for…
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You’re a teenager, you are still experimenting with different types of music. One day you turn the TV, tune in to the Dutch music show TopPop, and you see this lady with a guitar, There are a few drumbeats at the start and then a kick ass guitar riff. You are hooked, you found the…