Liberation is typically characterized by the arrival of Allied forces. Interviewees tell of liberation from concentration camps, or during death marches, or may describe liberation upon emergence from hiding.

Harry Haft survived through his skills as a boxer for the entertainment of the Nazis in Auschwitz. Others imprisoned at the camp—including Benjamin Jacobs, a dentist—have mentioned in their testimonies that their professional usefulness to their captors may have saved their lives. Besides boxing, another form of entertainment for the Nazis at Auschwitz was the camp orchestra. The Visual History Archive has the testimonies of several musicians who recount their experiences playing in the orchestra.

To view the entire Armenian Genocide Testimony Collection, log into the  Visual History Archive to explore the full-length eyewitness testimonies.    

In this video series following the release of the White House’s National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism, Dr. Robert J. Williams, our Finci-Viterbi Executive Director Chair, reflects on how the battle against antisemitism is a fight for democratic values.

The November Pogrom, also known as the Kristallnacht Pogrom, was an organized pogrom against Jews in Germany, Austria and parts of former Czechoslovakia (the Sudetenland) that occurred on November 9–10, 1938. Kristallnacht is also known as “Night of Broken Glass,” and “Crystal Night.” Orchestrated by the Nazis, 1,400 synagogues and 7,000 businesses were destroyed, almost 100 Jews were killed, and 30,000 people were arrested and sent to concentration camps. German Jews were subsequently held financially responsible for the destruction wrought upon their property during this pogrom.