World War 2

  • On November 8, 1939, Adolf Hitler narrowly escaped an assassination attempt in Munich. The attempt took place in the Bürgerbräukeller, a popular beer hall where he annually commemorated the anniversary of the 1923 Beer Hall Putsch, an early failed coup that Hitler had led in an attempt to seize power in Germany. The bomb was…

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  • Anne Frank’s Schoolmates

    Anne Frank’s schoolmates played a significant role in her early life, forming a close circle of friends that shared childhood dreams, games, and conversations during a turbulent time Anne Frank attended two main schools in Amsterdam before she and her family went into hiding: Montessori School (from 1934 to 1941)Jewish Lyceum (from 1941 to 1942)Since…

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  • William Robert Fitzgerald Collis (1900–1975) was an Irish doctor and writer. As an author, he was known as Robert Collis. As a doctor, he was commonly known as Dr Bob Collis. Maurice Collis was his elder brother, and John Stewart Collis was his twin brother.| He was born in Killiney, County Dublin. He joined the…

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  • I wish I could tell you beautiful stories about the artist Lunek Milch. I wish I could tell you beautiful stories about the scientist Lunek Milch. I wish I could tell you beautiful stories about Dr. Lunek Milch. I wish I could tell you beautiful stories about the janitor Lunek Milch. I wish I could…

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  • When a loved one dies, it’s important to grieve; if you don’t, it will eventually come back to haunt you. Dealing with grief can be challenging, and the time it takes varies from person to person. However, it is vital to allow oneself that time. Under normal circumstances, you will have the opportunity to grieve,…

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  • In the face of Nazi occupation and oppression, heroes often come from unexpected places. One such hero was Segundo Jorge Adelberto “Boy” Ecury, a young man from Aruba who would become a key figure in the Dutch resistance. From a privileged upbringing on a Caribbean island to fighting for freedom in war-torn Europe, Ecury’s life…

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  • Propaganda played a powerful role in shaping public opinion during the turbulent years of 1933 to 1945. In an era marked by intense political conflict and war, governments, especially the Nazi regime, used propaganda as a weapon to manipulate citizens, instill loyalty, and control narratives. This period saw the rise of sophisticated mass communication tactics,…

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  • A Forgotten Group of Victims: ‘Asocials’ in World War II The Nazis used black triangle badges to label prisoners they considered “unfit” for society. These people were often called “asocial” or “work-shy.” Groups included: Pacifists and Draft ResistersMen who refused to fight in the war or resisted the draft were seen as dangerous and could…

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  • In November 1944, Jewish underground fighters in Belgium found themselves at a significant historical juncture. With the liberation of Belgium by Allied forces in September of that year, these fighters, who had risked their lives to resist Nazi occupation and protect Jewish lives, transitioned from covert operations to a new set of challenges and opportunities.…

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  • Rachel Elisabeth Italiaander (Chelly) was the eldest daughter of Isidor Italiaander and Esther Stad. She was born on July 1, 1929 in Amsterdam. Still, it wasn’t until 1939 that she had a sister, Elisabeth Julia, and in 1941, a brother, Marcus Jozef, followed. The two youngest children survived the war by going into hiding. Rachel…

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