Anne Frank spent over two years hiding in a secret annexe during the World War II. The 13-year-old poured her thoughts into her diary, which has become a symbol of hope and resilience. Despite fearing persecution by the Nazis, she wrote about forgiveness. “It’s difficult in times like these: ideals, dreams and cherished hopes rise within us, only to be crushed by a grim reality. It’s a wonder I haven’t abandoned all my ideals, they seem to absurd and impractical. Yet I cling to them because I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart,” reads her diary. The last entry is dated August 1, 1944. All the family members were arrested and sent to concentration camps. A few months
later, Anne and her sister, Margot died of exhaustion while on their way to a camp in Auschwitz. Anne’s father Otto was the only survivor, who published her diaries.
The Franks enjoyed the freedom and acceptance they found in Amsterdam. Anne attended Amsterdam’s Sixth Montessori School, where she was a bright and inquisitive student with many friends of various backgrounds and faiths, according to “Anne Frank: The Biography” by Melissa Muller (Picador, 2014). Otto Frank founded a food ingredient wholesale company in Amsterdam.
Picture Credit : Google