Auschwitz was a complex of German concentration and extermination camps established by Nazi Germany in occupied Poland, near the town of Oswiecim, on the site of former Polish army barracks. The first camp opened to hold Polish political prisoners, and it was later expanded with the much larger Birkenau camp and additional subcamps used for forced labour. From 1942 Birkenau served as an extermination site, where well over a million people were murdered, the great majority of them Jews from across Europe. The Soviet army liberated the camp in January 1945. The site is now a museum and memorial and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Before and after
- from 10 May 1940 to 15 May 1940German invasion of the Netherlands
- from 10 May 1940 to 28 May 1940German invasion of Belgium
- 14 May 1940Rotterdam Blitz
- 15 May 1940Founding of McDonald's
- 20 May 1940Construction of Auschwitz
- 24 May 1940Birth of Joseph Brodsky
- from 26 May 1940 to 4 June 1940Dunkirk evacuation
- from 10 June 1940 to 16 May 1943North African campaign
- from 10 June 1940 to 2 May 1945Mediterranean and Middle East Theater of World War II
More in Art, literature & culture
- 15 August 1914Construction of Panama Canal
- c. 1920sRise of surrealism
- 1932Construction of Dong Hoi Airport
- 1932Construction of Tan Son Nhat International Airport
- c. 1940sRise of Postmodernism
- 6 April 1943Publication of The Little Prince
The era
This moment belongs to the Modern era (1914 CE to 1945 CE), world wars and a changing world. You can also browse everything in the 20th century.