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Vladek Spiegelman born
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Anja Zylberberg born
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Hitler is appointed as chancellor
Hitler gained power by supporting anti-semitism, anti-capitalism, and anti-communism. After he was appointed as chancellor, he transformed the Weimar Republic into the Third Reich. -
First Concentration Camp Opens
Dachau opens as the first concentration camp in all of Germany in 1933. Its prisoners were liberated by the 5th U.S. Army on May 5th, 1945 in Niederdorf, Italy. -
Hitler becomes Führer
President Paul von Hindenburg dies, and rather than call new elections as required by the constitution, Hitler's cabinet passes a law proclaiming the presidency vacant and transferring power to Hitler. -
Vladek meets Anja for the first time
Vladek and Anja meet for the first time. They will later marry. -
Vladek and Anja marry
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Richieu born
Vladek and Anja's son Richieu is born in Sosnowiec, Poland. -
Vladek is called to serve in the Polish army
Vladek is called to serve into the Polish army. He was 32. -
Germany invades Poland
The German invasion of Poland, also known as the September campaign, begins. -
German troops enter Sosnowiec
German troops enter Sosnowiec, and Vladek is forced to shoot an enemy soldier. -
Vladek becomes a prisoner of war
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Poland surrenders to Germany
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Jews in Poland must wear an armband or yellow star patch
After the invasion of Poland, Jews were required to wear a distinctive sign indicating their religion. The requirement to wear the Star of David was extended to all Jews over the age of 6 in September of 1941. -
Jewish property in Poland is confiscated
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Vladek released as a POW
Vladek is released as a prisoner of war. -
Auschwitz begins functioning
Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest death camp in the world, begins functioning. -
First gassing at Auschwitz
On September 3rd, 1941, deputy commandant Karl Fritzsch experimented on 600 Russian POWs and 250 Polish inmates by gathering them in the basement of Block 11 and gassing them with Zyklon B, a lethal pesticide. -
Japan attacks Pearl Harbor
Japanese pilots bomb Pearl Harbor in Hawaii on December 7th 1941. -
All Jews in Sosnowiec are forced to move to a ghetto
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The first mass gassing of Jews begins at Auschwitz
The first gassing of Jews begins in the Auschwitz gas chambers. -
1500 Jews are removed from Sosnowiec
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2000 Jews sent from Sosnowiec to Auschwitz
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8000 more Jews are sent from Sosnowiec to Auschwitz
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All Sosnowiec Jews are forced to move to the Srodula ghetto
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Most Sosnowiec Jews are deported to Auschwitz
Most Jews and Sosnowiec are sent to Auschwitz, but Vladek's wit and luck keep him and Anja safe for a little longer. -
All Jews in Zawiercie are sent to Auschwitz
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The remaining Jews in Srodula are killed.
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Vladek and Anja are sent to Auschwitz
Vladek and Anja are sent to Auschwitz and separated into different camps. -
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Quarantine in Auschwitz
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Vladek works at the tin shop in Auschwitz
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Vladek sees Anja in Birkenau
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Period: to
Vladek works as a shoemaker in Auschwitz
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Anja moved from Birkenau to Auschwitz
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Forced evacuation of Auschwitz
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Vladek is sent to Dachau
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Dachau is liberated
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Germany Surrenders
Germany surrenders to Italy on April 29th and later to all of Western Europe on May 7th, 1945. -
Japan surrenders; end of World War II
World War II ends at the armistice of August 14th, 1945, and V-J (Victory in Japan) day is celebrated. -
Vladek and Anja leave Poland for Sweden
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Art Spiegelman born
Art Spiegelman is born in Stockholm, Sweden. -
The Spiegelman family immigrates to the U.S.
The Spiegelman family immigrates to the U.S. and settles in Rego Park, New York. -
Anja dies
Anja commits suicide, which Art later depicts in his comic entitled "Prisoner on the Hell Parent". -
Vladek Spiegelman dies
Vladek dies of congestive heart failure. He was 75 years and 10 months old.
