Sophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) tell the story of how Denmark’s Jews were rescued by Danish people at the height of World War Two and escaped overnight to Sweden and safety.
Hitler’s Germany has conquered most of Europe in World War Two. Hitler hates the Jews and tells lies about them. He tries to find them and kill them. But in Denmark the Danes are conquered but allowed to rule themselves – with the German army patrolling the streets.
The King tries to keep his people’s morale up. He rides his horse through Copenhagen every day. When a German soldiers asks why he has no bodyguards, a Danish citizen replies that all Danes are his bodyguard. The King fights against the evil German flag, the Swastika being flown. When the Germans propose that all Jews should wear a yellow badge, the King says he will wear one too. The Germans back down. Hitler sends the King a birthday card with a long letter sucking up to him. The King barely replies.
Hitler is enraged. He decides that Germany will take total control. He also decides to round up the Jews and prepare to kill them.
But a German finds out about the plan and warns the Danish government. The government and ordinary people step into action. In one night they warn all the Jews. They hide them from the Germans and then take them across the sea to Sweden where they will be safe. The evil German SS soldiers kick down the doors but cannot find the Jews. 7,500 are safe.
Now both the Danish people and the brave German who warned the Jews are remembered in Israel, the Jewish homeland.
PATRONS’ CLUB
If you liked this episode then please do join our Patrons’ Club. We have exclusive episodes there. You can join on www.patreon.com/historystorytime. Sophie and Ellie also really enjoy getting to know our patrons and they swap photos.
PARENTS’ NOTICE ABOUT THIS EPISODE
We wanted to tell a Holocaust story which was uplifting and positive and appropriate for little children. Obviously, that is difficult to do about what is one of the greatest tragedies and crimes in human history. But we hope we have managed it here.
If your child likes this then there is a film on Disney Plus called “Miracle at Midnight” which is very good. It was too scary and complicated for Ellie. But Sophie was fine with it. There is also an award winning childrens’ book called “Number the Stars”.
Thanks for listening. Feedback welcome @historytime99 or you can find on facebook.
The Viking Age: Fury of the Northmen
How England & Scotland became Great Britain
The History of the Toilet
Prince Philip in World War 2
The United States and World War 1
Tales from Herodotus of Ancient Greece
Helen Keller
The Fall of Napoleon
Emperor Napoleon
The Young Napoleon Bonaparte
Isambard Kingdom Brunel with the Brunel Museum
History of Burma / Myanmar
Gandhi
The Resolute Desk of US Presidents
Ancient Greece
Eleanor of Aquitaine: Queen of England
Eleanor of Aquitaine: Queen of France
The History of New Year
The History of the Christmas Tree
Join Podbean Ads Marketplace and connect with engaged listeners.
Advertise Today
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
8 Tiny Reindeer
Kids Of The Future
Greeking Out from National Geographic Kids
Anne of Green Gables
Just So Stories
Circle Round
Little Stories for Tiny People: Anytime and bedtime stories for kids