Kristallnacht

On the night of November 9, 1938, a coordinated wave of violence swept across German cities and territories, targeting Jewish communities and sites of worship, marking a pivotal moment in the rise of Nazi persecution. This event, known as Kristallnacht or the "Night of Broken Glass," was a turning point that signaled the beginning of intensified violence and discrimination against Jews across Europe. Reflecting on its historical significance, leaders like Helmut Schmidt have acknowledged Kristallnacht as a moment of profound shame and a step toward the horrors of the Holocaust.