Anne Frank’s birthday is June 12.
On June 12, 1942, which was Anne’s thirteenth birthday, her parents presented her with a small red and white plaid diary which she nicknamed “Kitty”. On this same day, she wrote in her diary, “I hope I will be able to confide everything to you, as I have never been able to confide in anyone, and I hope you will be a great source of comfort and support.”
Two years later, on August 4, 1944, the Nazis raided the Secret Annex and arrested the inhabitants. Anne’s diary remained behind.
More than sixty years later, this diary has become one of the most well read journals of all times.
There are a number of things you might choose to do on June 12th–
- Perhaps you can make or purchase diaries for your children, or encourage them to start their own blog (the current day version of a diary). Explain that diaries can be read and security measures are necessary for internet blogs.
- Present the book to your older children if they have not read The Diary of Anne Frank
- Rent the movie and watch it as a family
- Discuss the huge impact one small girl made on this world.
Ann Simpson
