Anne Frank (1929-1945) Timeline

Anne Frank was born Annelies Marie Frank in Frankfurt, Germany to Otto and Edith Frank. She was the Frank’s second daughter, her sister Margot had been born three years earlier.

Adolf Hitler became Chancellor of Germany.

The Nazi Party were elected to the Frankfurt local government. They immediately imposed anti-Jewish measures.

Anne, Margot and their mother, Edith, left Frankfurt and went to Aachen to stay with Edith’s mother.

Otto Frank started a new company, the Opekta Works, in Amsterdam, a subsidiary of a company his brother-in-law worked for.

Anne, Margot and Edith Frank joined Otto in Amsterdam. The family lived in the Merwedeplain area of Amsterdam.

Anne’s father, Otto, started a second company in Amsterdam, Pectacon, a wholesale company selling spices used in the production of sausages. He employed Hermann van Pels as an advisor.

Anne’s grandmother Rosa came from Aachen to live with the family.

Germany invaded Poland.

Britain and France declared war on Germany beginning World War Two.

Germany invaded the Netherlands.

Dutch Jews were told that they could not go to the movies. Anne was upset because she liked watching movies and dreamed of being an actress.

Anne’s grandmother Rosa died.

Anne was given a diary for her thirteenth birthday.

Anne’s sister, Margot received deportation papers demanding that she go to a labour camp in Germany.

The Frank family went into hiding in a Secret Annex above Otto Frank’s offices. Employees Miep Gies, Victor Kugler, Johannes Kleiman and Bep Voskujl were the only employees that knew the family were hiding above the premises.

The Van Pels family, Hermann, Auguste and Peter joined the Frank family in the Secret Annex. Anne referred to them as the Van Daans.

Fritz Pfeffer, a dentist, joined the Franks and Van Pelses in the Secret Annex. Anne referred to him as Albert Dussel.

Anne Frank continued to write in her diary regularly, describing things that happened in the Secret Annex. She also decided that she wanted to become a journalist.

Following an anonymous tip off, the Secret Annex was raided. All occupants were arrested and sent to the Westerbork transit camp. Miep Gies found Anne’s diary among papers left on the floor of the Annex.

The Franks, Van Pelses and Fritz Pfeffer were taken to Auschwitz. The train they were in was the last to leave Westerbork transit camp. The journey east took two days.

Anne, Margot and Mrs Pels were taken from Auschwitz to Bergen Belsen.

Anne’s mother died in Auschwitz.

Anne’s father, Otto, was liberated from Auschwitz. He was taken to Odessa.

Anne’s sister Margot died of Typhus.

Anne died of Typhus soon after her sister.

Bergen Belsen Camp was liberated by the British.

Adolf Hitler committed suicide in Berlin.

Germany surrendered and the war in Europe was over.

Otto Frank returned to Amsterdam and sought out Miep and Jan Gies who had helped the families in the Secret Annex.

Otto Frank received a letter stating his daughters had died. Miep Gies gave Otto Anne’s diary that she had been keeping for her return.

Anne’s diary was published.