How will you mark Anne Frank’s Birthday?

Anne Frank was born on 12 June 1929.  This month will mark what would have been her eightieth birthday.

She began her famous diary on her birthday in 1942.  Her first entry read, “I hope I will be able to confide everything to you, as I have never been able to confide in anyone, and I hope that you will be a great source of comfort and support”.  She kept it for the next two years, as her family were forced into hiding from the Nazi occupation.

She confided in her diary over the next two years, telling it about her troubled relationship with her mother, her budding romance with her friend Peter, the constant fear of their hiding place being discovered and the hope they felt that the Allies would win the war and rescue them.  She wrote about her dream of making her mark on the world as a writer: “I know I can write”, reads her entry of 5th April, 1944. ” A few of my stories are good, my descriptions of the Secret Annexe are humorous, much of my diary is vivid and alive, but… it remains to be seen whether I really have talent”.  The book she wrote is evidence of her talent.

Her book has been read by millions, who have made an emotional connection with a teenage girl who was killed by racism.  Through it, millions have understood the dangers of prejudice and the violence that can accompany it.  It has changed lives, and probably saved lives.

So how will you remember this remarkable writer on her eightieth birthday, June 12th?

The website of the Anne Frank house in Amsterdam contains a number of educational resources on Anne Frank, on World War II and on discrimination: http://www.annefrank.org/content.asp?pid=1&lid=2