Darkness Falls

World War II with Tom Hanks

About the Episode

After Adolf Hitler comes to power in Germany in 1933, the Nazis begin targeting and persecuting Jewish people. But it's only after World War II breaks out that the Nazis expand their genocidal agenda under cover of war. As they invade Poland and later the Soviet Union, they carry out a “Holocaust by Bullets,” executing men, women and children. After this proves too costly, the Nazis construct vast extermination camps like Auschwitz, where millions are mass murdered in gas chambers. By the end of 1942, horrific reports detailing the Nazis’ systematic slaughter across Europe have reached the Allied leaders, but when the West is militarily unprepared to intervene, the brutal Nazi campaign against the Jews continues.  

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The National WWII Museum was proud to support HISTORY's work on this series through historical research, educational outreach, and archival footage, as well as on-site interviews with WWII veterans that will be featured as part of the network’s “Save Our History” initiative.


HEAR THEIR VOICES

Road to the Kovno Ghetto

Judith Meisel recalls being forced as a child into the Kovno Ghetto with her mother and sister, describing the escalating antisemitism, brutal restrictions, family separation, and daily struggle for survival.

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IN THE CLASSROOM

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

The National WWII Museum is a dynamic educational resource that engages and inspires students, teachers, and lifelong learners of all ages and backgrounds around the world. Explore distance-learning programs, curriculum guides, and classroom-ready digital content featuring Museum educators, primary source materials, and other resources. 

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Learn with Top Scholars

WWII Studies Online Programs with ASU

Discover new insights into the most significant event of the 20th century with The National WWII Museum and Arizona State University's online World War II Studies programs. Whether you're pursuing an advanced degree through our master's program or expanding your WWII knowledge with our continuing education courses, you'll get the combined expertise of a world-class history museum and a national leader in online education.

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PLAN YOUR VISIT

SEE AMERICA'S NATIONAL WWII MUSEUM

Our institution explores the full story of the American experience in World War II through immersive exhibits, multimedia experiences, and an expansive collection of artifacts and personal accounts. Plan your visit to the top-rated attraction in New Orleans and be inspired by the stories of those who came together to secure Allied victory. 

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