Elie Wiesel and Vladek Spiegelman timeline

By Big._.Daddy
  • Pact

    Pact

    Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan sign the Anti-Comintern Pact, directed against the Soviet Union and the international Communist movement
  • Vladek and Anja Marry

    Vladek and Anja Marry

    They marry after Vladek moved to Sosnowiec
  • Invasion

    Invasion

    Japan invades China, initiating World War II in the Pacific
  • Security

    Security

    France and Great Britain guarantee the integrity of the borders of the Polish state
  • Vladek is drafted

    Vladek is drafted

    Vladek is drafted into the Polish army to fight Nazi's
  • Vladek is fighting in the trenches against the Germans. He is taken prisoner during a skirmish. He is first taken to a POW camp, then to a labor camp. Finally, several months later, he is released.

    Vladek is fighting in the trenches against the Germans. He is taken prisoner during a skirmish. He is first taken to a POW camp, then to a labor camp. Finally, several months later, he is released.

  • Vladek Released from Work Camp

    Vladek Released from Work Camp

    Through Orbach, a family friend, Vladek is able to escape death.
  • Second Vienna Award:

    Second Vienna Award:

    Germany and Italy arbitrate a decision on the division of the disputed province of Transylvania between Romania and Hungary. The loss of northern Transylvania forces Romanian King Carol to abdicate in favor of his son, Michael, and brings to power a dictatorship under General Ion Antonescu.
  • Slovakia

    Slovakia

    Slovakia joined the axis
  • the Hungarian government expelled Jews unable to prove their citizenship (Including Moshe)

    the Hungarian government expelled Jews unable to prove their citizenship (Including Moshe)

  • Jews in Sosnowiec Moved to Another Ghetto

    Jews in Sosnowiec Moved to Another Ghetto

    The remaining Jews in the Sosnowiec Ghetto are moved to an old village, Srodula. Richieu is taken to Zawriercie to avoid being deported.
  • Srodula Ghetto Liquidated

    Srodula Ghetto Liquidated

    All Jews remaining in the Srodula ghetto are taken to concentration camps. Vladek and Anja are still successfully hidden.
  • Vladek and Anja sent to Auschwitz

    Vladek and Anja sent to Auschwitz

    The couple tries to escape to Hungary with smugglers but are caught by Nazi soldiers while leaving on a train. They are sent to the concentration camp, Auschwitz.
  • The Germans have crossed

    The Germans have crossed

    The Germans crossed the border and were occupying Romania
  • The Wiesel family is expelled from their home

    The Wiesel family is expelled from their home

    The Wiesel family is expelled from their home in Sighet and forced to move into the ghetto
  • Elie and his dad were transferred to Buna

    Elie and his dad were transferred to Buna

  • Vladek and Anja have gone into hiding in Sosnowiec

    Vladek and Anja have gone into hiding in Sosnowiec

    Vladek and Anja have gone into hiding in Sosnowiec, first staying with a Polish woman, Mrs. Kowka, then on the farm of Mrs. Motonowa.
  • Wiesel and father evacuate Auschwitz

    Wiesel and father evacuate Auschwitz

  • Death march

    Death march

    Elie and his dad are in the death march
  • Gone

    Gone

    This was the last day Elie saw his father
  • Rumors

    Rumors

    The inmates say that there is going to be another liquidation-another death run
  • Buchenwald liberated

    Buchenwald liberated

    Wiesel was 16 when Buchenwald was liberated by the United States Army
  • Dachau Liberated

    Dachau Liberated

    The concentration camp, Dachau, is liberated by American forces. Soon after, Vladek and his friend, Shivek, meet the Americans.
  • Vladek in U.S. Refugee Camp

    Vladek in U.S. Refugee Camp

    In the summer of 1945, Vladek reaches the American run displaced persons camp, Garmisch-Partenkirchen
  • Nobel Peace prize

    Nobel Peace prize

    Elie Wiesel wins Nobel Peace Prize