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Elie Wiesel Is Born
On this day, in Sighet, Romania, Eliezer Wiesel was born. He would go on to write an important firsthand account of the Holocaust in his book, Night. -
Adolf Hitler Becomes Chancellor of Germany
Adolf Hitler of the Nazi Party became the Chancellor of Germany. His anti-Semitic policies and creation of concentration camps would commit atrocities against millions of people, including Elie Wiesel. -
Franklin D. Roosevelt Becomes President
Franklin Delano Roosevelt becomes the 32nd President of the United States. US involvment in World War II, led by FDR, was a crucial part in the eventual liberation of the concentration camps. -
Germany Invades Poland
Germany invades the nearby country of Poland, and soon after France and Britain declare war on Germany. This marks the beginning of both World War II, and the expansion of concentration camps (towards Sightet) during the Holocaust. -
Nazi Control of Sighet
Nazi influence expands to control more land, including Sighet. The Nazis would eventually force all the Jews iin Sighet, including Elie Wiesel, into concentration camps. -
German Bombing on London Begins
The Germans initiated a bombing on London that lasted 57 nights in a row. However, Britist forces stayed strong and continued fighting to beat the Germans and liberate the concentration camps. -
Siege of Leningrad Begins
The German Army successfully establishes a blockade on the Soviet city Leningrad. The Red Army begins fighting against the Germans in Leningrad. This siege was one of Germany's attempts to push the Red Army away from Germany the concentration camps (and Elie Wiesel). -
Pearl Harbor is Attacked
The Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. This event dragged the United States into World War II, where they would fight to defeat the Axis Powers and free the concentration camps. -
Battle of Stalingrad Begins
German and Russia forces begin fighting one of the most deadly battles in history in Stalingrad, Russia. This fight showcased the Soviets' progression towards Germany territory, and towards the concentration camps. -
Battle of Stalingrad Ends
After five months, one week, and three days, the Germans in Stalingrad finally surrender. This victory gave the Red Army momentum and helped carry them into German territory, and nearer to the concentration camps. -
Siege of Leningrad Ends
After 872 days, the Red Army finally defeated the Germans that held a blockade in Leningrad. This allowed Soviets to move from the defensive to the offensive and continue pushing into German territory. -
The Ghettos Are Set up in Sighet
Jews in Sighet are forced to live in shoddily built shacks away from the rest of people of Sighet. This is the first stage of the Holocaust Elie Wiesel witnesses. -
Elie Wiesel Is Deported to Auschwitz
Elie Wiesel and the rest of the Jews in Sighet are moved from their homes to the concentration camp, Auschwitz.This began Elie Wiesel's experiences in the Holocaust, which he would write about in his book, Night. -
Elie Wiesel Is Liberated from Buchenwald
Allied forces liberated the prisoners at Buchenwald. Elie Wiesel is finally freed from concentration camps and Nazi rule. -
Nazi Germany Surrenders
The Allied Powers are victorious in Europe as Nazi Germany surrenders. German land is put into the hands of the Allied Powers, and all Nazi and anti-Semitic campaigns are eliminated -
World War II Ends
Atomic bombing on HIroshima and Nagasaki causes Japan to surrender, thus completely ending World War II. The Allied Powers finally end the war that affected so many individuals. -
Israel is Founded
The Jews in Palestine are given their own country with help from the United Kingdom and other United Nations countries. This is a huge step against the anti-Semitic policies that plagued Elie Wiesel and millions of other Jews in the previous ten years. -
Elie Wiesel Visits Israel for the 1st Time
Elie Wiesel travels to the newly-formed country of Israel for the first time. This event is symbolic because of Elie's dream to visit the Promised Land during the Holocaust Era. -
Night Is Published in the US
The book Night is translated from Yiddish to English and begins to be sold in the United States. This drastically increased the audience for Elie Wiesel's story. -
Elie Wiesel Wins the Nobel Peace Prize
Elie Wiesel wins the Nobel Peace Prize for his account of the Holocaust, Night. This honor brought even more attention to such an impactful book.
