(1929-1945)
A Short Biography
On September 1, 1939, Germany invades Poland, starting World War II. Hitlers "blitzkreg" or lighting war moved quickly and finally reached Holland in May 1940. The Nazis quickly occupied Holland and set up many Anti-Semantic measures in Holland, which of course affected the Franks. Otto Frank liquidated his business, however he was fortunate enough to have Aryan friends who acted as "owners" of the business and lent their name to Otto's old business (Otto continued to work but all forms were signed by his freinds to make it a legitmate "Aryan Business" Anne and Margot also had to leave their schools and attend the Jewish Lyceum.
The Franks continued to live under Nazi occupation and despite the many new restrictions, they managed to live a relatively good life. In June of 1942, Anne turned 13 and recieved her infamous black and red checked diary and had a birthday party at which her and her friends watched Rin Tin Tin. A few weeks after Anne's birthday, Margot, now 16, recieves a summons from the Gestapo to report for deportation to Westerbork Camp, a transit camp that usually sends prisoners to Auschwitz. This pushed the Frank's plans for hiding into motion and the Franks went into hiding in July of 1942. They were later joined by the van Pels family. Hermann van Pels was a business partner of Otto's and came with his wife Auguste and son Peter (who later formed a romantic relationship with Anne). .
The eight refugees hid in Otto and Hermann's office building on the Prinzengeracht Canal, in an annexx behind the main building. During the workday, they had to stay quiet and still and refrain from flushing toilets. Even after the workday, they had to be careful to not allow anyone to know that they were hidden there. They were not allowed to go outdoors. Otto's former staff and friends aided them in obtaining food, and other neccessities as well as some comforts and entertainment.
The eight refugees lived in hiding for 25 months. On August 4, 1944 they were discovered by the Gestapo and were arrested along with two of the helpers. They were sent to the Westerbork Transit camp. On September 1, 1944, Anne and her family were part of the last transport to Auschwitz-Birkeneau Extermination Camp. In Auschwitz, Anne, Margot, and Edith were separated from Otto and remained close, according to sources. Anne and Margot were separated from their mother and sent to Bergen Belsen Camp in Germany in October of 1944.
At Bergen Belsen, starvation and typhus ravaged the prisoners. Anne and Margot were unfortunately part of the group of prisoners who had to stay in tents that did not shield them from the cold weather. Margot was already gravely ill when the sisters arrived. Anne met up with her childhood friend Hannalie , who was able to give her some food and clothing. However, typhus claimed the life of Margot and then, a few days later, Anne at the end of February or beggining of March in 1945. Anne was only 15 years old.
Otto Frank was the only person from the group of eight refugees to survive the concentration camps. After returning to Amsterdam, he published the diary that Anne kept during their time in hiding in 1947. Since then, it has been translated into hundreds of different languages and has been made into a play and a movie. Otto also started the Anne Frank Foundation, a organization which promotes peace and diversity, and who has all of the publishing rights to Anne's manuscripts.
Anne commented inher diary that she wanted to go on living even after her death. Her wish has certainly came true
