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.
World War Two - The Eastern Front
The Peasants‘ Revolt
Marie Antoinette
Why did World War Two start?
Disaster in Afghanistan: The First Afghan War of 1839
The Hundred Years' War
The History of Flight
The Modern Olympic Games
The Ancient Olympic Games
The Vikings' Discovery of America
The History of Football
Lady Jane Grey: England's Nine Day Tudor Queen
Marie Curie
Magna Carta
Romulus, Remus and the Founding of Rome
William Shakespeare
The Persian Invasion of Ancient Greece
Ancient Greece and the History of the Marathon
Livia, Domina of Rome
The Viking Age: Triumph of the Northmen
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
The Story of Mankind
The Turn of the Screw
Circle Round
The Arthur Podcast