The Story Of Anne Frank

Anne Frank is a Jewish girl who has to go into hiding during World War Two to avoid the Nazis. Together with seven others she hides in the secret annex on the Prinsengracht 263 in Amsterdam. After almost 2 years in hiding they are discovered and deported to concentration camps. Anne’s father, Otto Frank, is the only one of the eight people to survive. After her death Anne becomes world famous because of the diary she wrote while in hiding.

1

Life In Germany

Otto and Edith Frank settle in Frankfurt. They soon have children: Margot in 1926, and Anne in 1929.

2

Emigrating To The Netherlands

Otto Frank manages to set up a business in Amsterdam. Edith, Margot and Anne follow him to the Netherlands. They find a place to live on the Merwedeplein.

3

The German Invasion

The Netherlands is occupied and there are big changes for the Frank family. Restrictions keep mounting, both for individuals and for Otto's business.

4

The Hiding Place

As well as the Frank family there are four other Jews in the Secret Annex: Hermann and Auguste van Pels with their son Peter, and Fritz Pfeffer.

5

The Arrest

everyone in the Secret Annex is arrested. Someone has betrayed them. They are deported first to the Westerbork transit camp, and then on to Auschwitz.

6

Otto Frank Returns

Otto returns to Amsterdam. On his way back, he hears of Edith’s death. Back in Amsterdam, he goes to see Miep and Jan Gies.

7

The Diary Is Published

People from all over the world learn of Anne Frank's story. Over the years Otto Frank answers thousands of letters from people who have read his daughter's diary.

8

Mapping The Journey

An overview of Anne's journey within an interactive map.

Life In Germany

1925

After getting married, Otto and Edith Frank settle in Frankfurt. They soon have children: Margot in 1926, and Anne in 1929. Those first few years are happy ones, but the economic crisis empowers Hitler’s NSDAP. Because of the poor economic climate, supporters of Hitler’s NSDAP are increasing in numbers. Hitler and his party were antisemitic, meaning they hated Jews. According to them, getting rid of the Jews would solve all of Germany’s problems. In 1933, Hitler takes over as leader of the German government. The persecution of the Jews and the economic crisis cause huge problems for many people. Otto and Edith Frank are deeply worried for their family and they look for a means of escape.

Map Of Frankfurt
Europe Map

Emigrating To The Netherlands

1933

Otto Frank manages to set up a business in Amsterdam. Edith, Margot and Anne follow him to the Netherlands. They find a place to live on the Merwedeplein. The Franks feel safe and free again. Margot and Anne often play on Merwedeplein in front of their house. They quickly make lots of new friends who are either Dutch or German. Many Jewish children from Germany live in the neighborhood. Hanneli Goslar is Anne's girlfriend in kindergarten. Although Edith doesn't really feel at home in Amstredam, she is happy to be safe with her family. For the first few years, life is normal, the children go to school, Otto works hard on his business and Edith takes care of the household. But then World War 2 breaks out. On 10 May 1940, Germany invades the Netherlands. The Frank family is in danger once more.

Europe Map
One German Soldier

The German Invasion

1940

In May 1940 The Netherlands is occupied and there are big changes for the Frank family. Restrictions keep mounting, both for individuals and for Otto's business. When Margot receives a call-up for a German work camp on 5 July 1942, Otto and Edith decide the dangers have become too great. They take their family into hiding in the hiding place they prepared months before.

The Arrest

1944

In May 1940 The Netherlands is occupied and there are big changes for the Frank family. Restrictions keep mounting, both for individuals and for Otto's business. When Margot receives a call-up for a German work camp on 5 July 1942, Otto and Edith decide the dangers have become too great. They take their family into hiding in the hiding place they prepared months before.

otto_frank

Otto Frank Returns

1945

After Auschwitz is liberated, Otto returns to Amsterdam. On his way back, he hears of Edith’s death. Back in Amsterdam, he goes to see Miep and Jan Gies. He hopes Anne and Margot might still be alive, but then discovers that they too did not survive the war. Miep gives him Anne’s diaries. Anne had wanted her diary to be published after the war, and her wish would eventually come true.

The Diary Is Published

1947

In her diary, Otto reads about the plan Anne had to publish a book after the war about the time she spent in the Secret Annex. She had even edited and rewritten a large portion of her original diary. Initially, Otto Frank feels uncertain about the idea but he finally decides to fulfill his daughter's wish.