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September 1939, was when Yanek learned about a life changing event that would drastically alter his life. On Page 5, Alan Gratz writes, "At first I thought the radio's vacuum tube had blown out, but then a man's voice came on the radio. 'Ladies and gentlemen, we interrupt this broadcast with news that the German army has reached Krakow.' " This means that Yanek, and all of Krakow, has received news that their city has been taken over by Germans, and that there is nothing they can do to stop it. This is an important event considering the fact that he finds out his world is about to be turned upside-down, at the very moment he heard the radio announcement. This event marks the start to Yanek's extensive nightmare.

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In April-June 1940, Hitler took over almost all of his enemies after conquering Poland the year before. The Holocaust Encyclopedia states that "German troops overran Belgium, Luxembourg, and France...leaving Great Britain as the only country fighting Nazi Germany". This indicates that Hitler overcame almost all of his enemies within 6 weeks. This is an important event because it shows how strong Hitler's army was at the beginning of the war. Nazi Germany was a massive threats to it's neighbors and the world at large.

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A year after the Nazis took over Krakow was an important time frame in Yanek's life. "Wait-there. In the middle of the crowd. I froze. Was that my mother and father?" was what Gratz wrote on Page 57. This was when Yanek noticed his parents in a crowd of people getting deported. The quote shows that Yanek simply couldn't believe his parents were being deported and sent away, which convinces him to run home to see his parents, only to discover that they were sent away. This event was important in Yanek's timeline because it was the moment he lost the two most important people in his life. Because of his choices, he would regret not going up to his parents for the rest of his life, further proving how important of an event this was to Yanek.

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December 11, 1941, was an extremely important day in the history of World War 2. The U.S. Capitol Visitor Center states that "On December 11, 1941, 3 days after declaring war on Japan, The House approved declarations of war on Germany". This quote indicates that the U.S. decided to join the war after much consideration. Pearl Harbor was one of the reasons the U.S. made up their mind on fighting Japan and the Nazis. This was an important date because Franklin Roosevelt signed the Declaration of War against Nazi Germany. America joining the war was a massive turning point in World War 2.

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1942 was the very start of the horrendous time Yanek would spend in more than a dozen Concentration Camps. Gratz wrote on Page 62 that "The tailor shop at Plaszow, a nearby labor camp, needed more workers...so we were taken". This quote shows that Yanek was taken from his tailor shop and sent to Plaszow, a nearby concentration camp. This event was important because it was the first Concentration Camp Yanek was sent to. Once in Plaszow, Yanek found his uncle, his only other living family member. Altough, after only a few months, the infamous Amon Goeth killed Moshe, leaving Yanek as the only living member of his family.

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November 24, 1942 was the day when the Nazi's plans to eliminate all the Jews in Europe was released to the American people. The Holocaust Encyclopedia states that "After receiving confirmation of the report on the German plan to annihilate the Jews of Europe from the U.S. Department of State...publicizes the contents of the Riegner telegram, exposing German implementation of the 'Final Solution'". The 'Final Solution' referred to bringing an end to forcing or encouraging the Jews out of Europe, but instead replaced with systematic annihilation. This was an important date because it helped open the eyes of the American people. Before these reports were publicized, many Americans didn't believe that the Nazis were being inhumane. The public reports help inform the Americans of the Nazis brutal and heinous acts.

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1943 was the year Yanek reached his second labor camp, and was where he was exposed to the beauty left in the world. Gratz writes, "...it was astounding that there could still be beauty in the world. Especially here, a mile underground," on Page 100. This thought taken from the book shows that after years of horrendous sights, Yanek still finds joy in beautiful scenes. This is an important moment in time because it shows parts of Yanek's character that we otherwise wouldn't have noticed. It indicates that how battling every day to survive makes everything else seem insignificant. His reaction shows he is a believer and fighter after all of the misery he went through.

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April 19, 1943 was the start of the first uprising held against the Nazis. The uprising was in the Warsaw Ghetto and was started due to the Nazi threats to liquidate the city. The Holocaust Encyclopedia states, "On April 19, 1943, the Warsaw ghetto uprising began after German troops and police entered the ghetto to deport its surviving inhabitants." This shows that the Jews mustered up all of their courage to fight for their rights. Generally, Jewish people would never stand up to the Nazis, mainly to not cause unnecessary death and chaos. Although, the Jewish people of the Warsaw Ghetto decided to stand up for their rights, no matter if they win or lose.

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In Mid 1944, Yanek was transferred to Trzebinia. In this concentration camp, Yanek started to wonder why no one ever fought against the Nazis. Although, he soon learned a lesson he would take with him throughout his time in the concentration camps. Gratz wrote on Pages 111 and 112, "To suffer quietly hurt only you. To suffer loudly, violently, angrily - to fight back - was to bring hurt and pain and death to others." He came to this revelation when one of his fellow inmates tried to fight a Nazi who started to beat him. The head of the camp saw this action and began to randomly call out innocent prisoners to kill. This was an important moment for Yanek seeing that he learned to never fight back, to just take the pain and suffering. To the prisoners, taking the torment and struggle meant surviving, and to resist meant death for not only themselves, but many others.

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June 6th, 1944 was one of the most important events in World War 2 history. The Eisenhower Presidential Library states that, "The D-Day operation of June 6, 1944, brought together the land, air, and sea forces of the allied armies in what became known as the largest amphibious invasion in military history." This means America and its Allies took much consideration into planning the battle, knowing that it could determine the fate of the war. D-Day is also known as the very start to the end of the war. Before, no allies could enter the Nazi's European territory, but after capturing Normandy, they could start making their way further in. D-Day was an extremely important battle because without it, the Allies could have lost to the Nazis.

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Around Late 1944, Yanek had been sent to Birkenau, a sister camp to Auschwitz, known for mass murdering hundreds of Jews at a time. Yanek was sent to a shower room, where many prisoners said to be the gassing room. At this time, Yanek begged, "'Go on!' I yelled at the shower head. 'Go on, do it! I dare you!' I laughed again. 'What are you waiting for?' I cried. ' Kill me! I give up! You win!'", Gratz wrote on Page 129. Although, he was spared his life and was sent to another room, where he would get the tattoo, B-3087, which he would carry for the rest of his life. Yanek began to think about how he survived, and how he would keep fighting. This moment was important for Yanek because it gave him hope for the future, that if he fought hard enough, he would eventually make it out alive.

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October 2nd, 1944 marked the end of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, which inspired many to resist the Nazis. "The Warsaw Uprising was catastrophic and had lasting impacts for decades to come," states The National World War 2 Museum. This quote shows that the uprising had not only affected its survivors, but the Nazis as well. Approximately 7,000 Jews died during battle, and another 7,000 were sent to the Treblinka killing center. After the uprising, the Nazis sent the remaining survivors to labor camps, where many of them died. Although the Jews suffered many casualties, they managed to kill approximately 10,000 German fighters. Despite the fact that the Jews lost, they dented the Nazi military and sent a message out to the world. No matter how many Jews were killed, there would always be enough to fight back.

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Very Early into 1945, Yanek was transferred from Birkenau, to Auschwitz, right next door. At Auschwitz, Yanek met a boy from Krakow, where Yanek used to live. Yanek's Uncle, Moshe, told him to never tell anyone anything about himself, to avoid confrontation and false hope. At the time, Yanek didn't understand what Moshe meant about false hope, but in Auschwitz, Yanek would understand. Gratz wrote, ""Work makes you free,' the Nazi told us. 'But if you cannot work-" The Nazi nodded to the kapos, and one of them kicked the chair out from under Fred." That was the last time Yanek ever saw Fred. This was an important moment for him in that he learned why Moshe told him to never make friends, and that it will only give him false hope for better days.

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On January 27th 1945, the prisoners at Auschwitz were liberated. The Holocaust Encyclopedia states that, "The Soviet army enters Auschwitz, Birkenau, and Monowitz and liberates around 7,000 prisoners, most of whom are ill and dying." A little more than a week earlier, Yanek was forced out of the camp to march to Sachenhausen. The workers at Auschwitz moved almost all their prisoners away from the front lines of the war, knowing they were losing. This moment was very important because it shows how the Allies were making progress, and how Yanek was so close to being freed.

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January 18th, 1945 was when almost every prisoner from the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp was forced to walk more that 10 miles with only one loaf of bread. During the walk, Yanek tried to save a fellow prisoner, only to discover that his loaf of bread had disappeared. Although Yanek was practically dying, he vowed to survive. Gratz wrote, "I might be starving, and I might be that nameless boy the others saw staggering through the ranks by midday, but I wasn't dead yet. My name was still Yanek, and I was going to survive," on Page 183. This thought means that although Yanek was close to dying, he had to try his best to survive. He soon learned that although life may be horrid and bleak, hope can save him.

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On April 1st, 1945, U.S. soldiers landed in Okinawa. History states, "Determined to seize Okinawa as a base of operations for the army ground and air forces for a later assault on mainland Japan, more than 1,300 ships converged on the island, finally putting ashore 50,000 combat troops." This shows that the attack, known as Operation Iceberg, was very important to the war. The plan was to cut Okinawa off from the mainland. After much fighting, the Americans won, and captured 4,000 men. The leader of the Japanese military who fought committed suicide upon defeat, further showing how important this battle was.

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After marching more than a week, Yanek finally reached Sachenhausen. The camp was revealed to be a cruel, inhumane encampment like the others. Although, Yanek soon realized that the Nazis at this camp enjoyed watching the pain of the prisoners, and the games they forced them to play. Alan Gratz wrote about Yanek's experience being in one of their cruel games, "For an hour we were their choir, our weak, raspy voices serenading them as they laughed and talked and ate-and the food they ate!" on Page 192. The games the prisoners had to go through included boxing matches, races, and choirs. The events were purely held to entertain the workers. This event was necessary for Yanek to truly understand how callous and pitiless the Nazis could be.

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On April 16th, 1945, the Soviets set their plan into action. Their goal was to capture the German capital. The Liberation Route Europe states, "On 16 April 1945, the Soviet forces started the final offensive against the German capital." This event was important because it was a major turning point in the war. After more than a week, the Allies had captured Berlin. Berlin being overtaken caused many major events to happen, such as Hitler committing suicide, and the destruction of the entire Nazi regime. The Battle of Berlin was the final battle in Europe, ending the war in the continent.

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Close to the middle of 1945, Yanek was sent to the concentration camp Bergen-Belsen. This was the first camp where Yanek was directly targeted. Moonface, his tourmentor, punched Yanek because of the way he looked at Moonface. On Page 200, Gratz wrote, "I made sure to stay well clear of Moonface after that, but somehow I always managed to be assigned to work duty near him. He seemed to notice me wherever I went too, and soon I became his pet project. Moonface kicked me and hit me and beat me whenever he could." Yanek was beaten and abused by Moonface for days on end. he seemed to be singled out by him. At some point, Yanek felt as if Moonface would be the death of him. Even if Yanek tried to avoid him, he would still get beaten.

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On April 17th, 1945, Americans seized 1,000 pounds of uranium. They did this as an effort to prevent the Nazis from making an atomic bomb. History states, "On April 17, 1945, U.S. Lieutenant Colonel Boris T. Pash commandeers over half a ton of uranium at Strassfurt, Germany, in an effort to prevent the Soviets from developing an A-bomb." Uranium was very important in creating an atomic bomb. The mission was successful, and gave the Americans time to build an Atomic Bomb before the Nazis did. Eventually, America succeeded in creating the bomb, only to use it on Japan 2 times, in early May.

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In Mid 1945, Yanek was transferred from Bergen-Belsen to Buchenwald. Although Buchenwald was just as cruel and sadistic as the other camps, it had a zoo. Children of the Nazis would look at the animals, and the prisoners, with wide eyes. Once, a group of workers lured a deer to the fence, and tied it and left it to die. Although, the workers got caught and were taught a lesson and punished. On Page 209, Gratz states, "Cruelty to prisoners the Nazis could abide. But not cruelty to animals." Soon, Yanek realized that in their sick way of thinking, killing and torturing Jews were allowed. Although, hurting or killing and animal was a horrid act. The Nazis treated and respected animals more than the prisoners at Buchenwald concentration camp.

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On April 29th, 1945, Dachau, the last camp Yanek was held in, was liberated. The Holocaust Encyclopedia states that, "On April 29, 1945, American forces liberated Dachau. As they neared the camp, they found more than 30 railroad cars filled with bodies brought to Dachau, all in an advanced state of decomposition." The Nazis ran from the camp, leaving thousands of prisoners, dead and alive. This event was extremely important because it was one of the last camps liberated. The war was ending, and the soldiers, Nazis, and prisoners all knew it.

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Gross-Rosen was yet another camp Yanek was thrust into. Although, this was the first camp Yanek was directly attacked. He lost a button on his uniform, and was forced to count how many times he was whipped in German. Gratz wrote on Page 219, "The allies were getting closer, and I was going to be there to welcome them when they got here." This shows Yanek's determination and resiliance, even in difficult times. Although Yanek was almost beat to death, he still persevered and promised to see the day the Jews were liberated.

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April 30th, 1945 was the day Hitler died. History states, "On April 30, 1945, holed up in a bunker under his headquarters in Berlin, Adolf Hitler commits suicide by swallowing a cyanide capsule and shooting himself in the head." His death was the reason the Nazis surrendered. Their leader most likely committed suicide, knowing that the war was ending and that he would be executed. His death caused chaos in the Nazi military, forcing them to surrender. Without their leader, they couldn't perform. Hitler's death marked the end of the war, at least in Europe.

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Sometime early in 1945, Yanek and thousands of prisoners were forced to walk to another camp, Dachau. This time, he wasn't given any food to survive. A few days in, Yanek started to starve. Gratz wrote about Yanek's attempt at getting food from the guard who had so heartlessly targeted Yanek on Page 230. "To my amazement and to the amazement of the other prisoners watching us, Moonface cut a hunk off the loaf with his knife and tossed the bread to me." He had won some bread, something he least expected to happen. This event caused Yanek to gain hope, and to think that the Nazis could be generous if they wanted to. He was far from trusting the Nazis, but his hopes for surviving were boosted, giving him the energy to survive.

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May 7-8th, 1945 was when Germany signed a peace treaty. The U.S. Department of Defense states that, "On May 8, 1945 - known as Victory in Europe Day or V-E Day - celebrations erupted around the world to mark the end of World War II in Europe." This event was important because it marked the day the war ended in Europe, and caused Japan to have doubts on continuing war. Although the war wasn't over, many celebrated, as it was the end of concentration camps. Prisoners were free and were put into homes, while others immigrated to America. Yanek, who was housed in Munich, decided to move to America. After 6 long, cruel years, the war had finally ended.

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When Yanek reached Dachau, everything changed. He started to notice how the camp was disorganized and chaotic. Some days, they didn't even have a roll call. One fateful day, all the Nazis were gone. Confused, Yanek went outside to discover American soldiers. Gratz wrote on Page 245, "'Everything's going to be all right now, Yanek,' he told me, and for the first time in six years, I believed he was right." Yanek was saved, set free, by the Allies. After 6 long years, Yanek had finally been freed from all the torture, cruelty, and abuse.

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On August 6th and 9th 1945, America dropped 2 atomic bombs on Japan. CTBTO Preparatory Commission states that, "The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, marking the end of World War II, demonstrate the devastating power of nuclear weapons. These were the only instances of atomic bombs used in conflict, causing unimaginable destruction..." This event was extremely important, not only in World War 2 history. The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were the only time a nuclear bomb had ever been dropped on a country. The bombings were so devastating that they convinced Japan to surrender soon after. Due to the devastation that the bombs caused Japan, they could only fight for a short 3-4 weeks until they had to surrender. Although the bombs killed approximately 350,000 people, they also were a major turning point in the war, that marked the end of World War 2.

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Mid 1945, Yanek was sent to Munich, a town the Allies took over. There, Yanek found his old neighbor, and his cousin. He was free, and he had family alive. His remaining family suggested he immigrate to America. Yanek thought a lot about it, and decided to go to America. After more than a year, he was allowed to move. Alan Gratz wrote, On Page 256, "For nine years I had done everything I could to survive. Now it was time to live." This quote shows how Yanek finally accepted that he was free, and no one was here to hurt him. Although a major part of his life was stolen, he was still alive and young. He still had a life to live, and he finally understood that he could live. So he did.

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September 2nd, 1945, was the official end of World War 2. The Holocaust Encyclopedia states, "Having agreed in principle to unconditional surrender on August 14, 1945, Japan formally surrenders, ending World War 2." The Foreign Minister Mamoru Shigemitsu represented the emperor signed the peace treaty. This event was one of the most important event in World war 2 history. Shigemitsu signed the treaty, and it was sent to the White House a few days later. Then, it was officially processed October 6th, marking the very end of the World War 2.