In The Netherlands, the fourth and the fifth of May are special national days.
The fourth of May is Liberation Day while the fifth is Remembrance Day.
"People experienced the Second World War in very different ways, depending on who they were, what they stood for, what they did or where they lived. All those different experiences are reflected in the different commemoration ceremonies throughout the years. During the national commemoration of Remembrance Day on 4 May, those various experiences come together and the dead are jointly remembered." (1)
"On the 5th of May we celebrate that we in The Netherlands live in freedom. We celebrate that we were liberated in 1945 from German occupation in Europe and Japanese occupation in Asia and that since then we've been free from war and repression in the Kingdom of The Netherlands." (2)
Source 1 : Wat Vieren We, Nationaal Comité 4 en 5 mei
Source 2 : 4 and 5 May in The Netherlands, Nationaal Comité 4 en 5 mei
One of the most famous icons of World War Two is diarist Anne Frank (1929 - 1945) who lived in Amsterdam (the capital city of The Netherlands) during the War. Originally from Germany, the Jewish Frank family moved to Amsterdam in 1933. The Nazis invaded The Netherlands on the 10th of May 1940 which left the Frank family effectively trapped in The Netherlands.
After going into hiding in July of 1942, the Frank family were betrayed and subsequently taken by the Nazis in August of 1944. Anne died at Bergen-Belsen concentration camp shortly before the end of the War, in March 1945. Her father Otto Frank was the only family member to survive the War. His efforts led to the publication of Anne's diary in 1947. It was first translated to English in 1952.
Wise beyond her years, Anne Frank was a thinker, a philosopher and an optimist who tried to make the best out of an absolutely awful situation that was far beyond her control. From reading Anne's diary and learning about her life, it is clear that Anne's determination, courage and faith in humanity helped her to stay positive despite everything going on around her.
If I hope to accomplish anything by writing about Anne Frank, it is to inspire more to think as Anne did and to inspire more people to learn about Anne, her too short life and her senseless death. Give Anne the chance in death that she never had in life - to help make the world a better place for all people.
-- The Diary of a Young Girl, Anne Frank
-- Anne Frank Quotes, Goodreads
-- Anne Frank Museum Amsterdam
* This post is a special contribution from our Dutch guest-blogger.
The fourth of May is Liberation Day while the fifth is Remembrance Day.
"People experienced the Second World War in very different ways, depending on who they were, what they stood for, what they did or where they lived. All those different experiences are reflected in the different commemoration ceremonies throughout the years. During the national commemoration of Remembrance Day on 4 May, those various experiences come together and the dead are jointly remembered." (1)
"On the 5th of May we celebrate that we in The Netherlands live in freedom. We celebrate that we were liberated in 1945 from German occupation in Europe and Japanese occupation in Asia and that since then we've been free from war and repression in the Kingdom of The Netherlands." (2)
Source 1 : Wat Vieren We, Nationaal Comité 4 en 5 mei
Source 2 : 4 and 5 May in The Netherlands, Nationaal Comité 4 en 5 mei
One of the most famous icons of World War Two is diarist Anne Frank (1929 - 1945) who lived in Amsterdam (the capital city of The Netherlands) during the War. Originally from Germany, the Jewish Frank family moved to Amsterdam in 1933. The Nazis invaded The Netherlands on the 10th of May 1940 which left the Frank family effectively trapped in The Netherlands.
After going into hiding in July of 1942, the Frank family were betrayed and subsequently taken by the Nazis in August of 1944. Anne died at Bergen-Belsen concentration camp shortly before the end of the War, in March 1945. Her father Otto Frank was the only family member to survive the War. His efforts led to the publication of Anne's diary in 1947. It was first translated to English in 1952.
Wise beyond her years, Anne Frank was a thinker, a philosopher and an optimist who tried to make the best out of an absolutely awful situation that was far beyond her control. From reading Anne's diary and learning about her life, it is clear that Anne's determination, courage and faith in humanity helped her to stay positive despite everything going on around her.
If I hope to accomplish anything by writing about Anne Frank, it is to inspire more to think as Anne did and to inspire more people to learn about Anne, her too short life and her senseless death. Give Anne the chance in death that she never had in life - to help make the world a better place for all people.
“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”
“Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy.”
“The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature.
As longs as this exists, and it certainly always will, I know that then there will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be. And I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.”
“In spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart. I simply can’t build up my hopes on a foundation consisting of confusion, misery, and death. I see the world gradually being turned into a wilderness, I hear the ever approaching thunder, which will destroy us too, I can feel the sufferings of millions and yet, if I look up into the heavens, I think that it will all come right, that this cruelty too will end, and that peace and tranquility will return again.”
“I don't want to have lived in vain like most people. I want to be useful or bring enjoyment to all people, even those I've never met. I want to go on living even after my death!”
Sources :
-- The Diary of a Young Girl, Anne Frank
-- Anne Frank Quotes, Goodreads
-- Anne Frank Museum Amsterdam
* This post is a special contribution from our Dutch guest-blogger.