Annelies Marie Frank, known as Anne, was born in Frankfurt, Germany, to Otto Frank and Edith Hollander Frank. Her birth marked the beginning of a life that would tragically intersect with the rise of Nazism and the horrors of the Holocaust. The family, like many Jewish families in Germany, initially lived a comfortable and relatively assimilated life, but the growing antisemitism would soon force them to make difficult choices.

As the Nazi Party gained power in Germany and antisemitism intensified, Otto Frank made the difficult decision to move his family to Amsterdam, Netherlands, seeking refuge from the increasingly oppressive regime. This relocation was a desperate attempt to secure a safer future for Anne, her sister Margot, and his wife, Edith. Otto established a business in Amsterdam, hoping to rebuild their lives in a more tolerant environment.

Anne attended the 6th Montessori School in Amsterdam. She quickly learned Dutch and integrated into her new surroundings. She made friends, enjoyed school, and led a relatively normal childhood, unaware of the impending danger that would once again disrupt their lives. During these years the Nazi influence was growing in Europe, and her father was doing his best to move his business and his family to a safer environment. Her letters to her grandmother in this time period express some of the anxiety that she felt about their situation, but overall her childhood was progressing as expected.

The Nazi invasion and occupation of the Netherlands shattered the Frank family's hopes for safety. The occupation brought increasing restrictions and discriminatory laws targeting Jewish people, mirroring the policies implemented in Germany. The Franks found themselves increasingly isolated and vulnerable as their freedoms and rights were systematically stripped away.

On her thirteenth birthday, Anne received a red-and-white checkered diary. Little did she know that this diary would become her most trusted confidante and a powerful voice documenting her experiences. She began writing immediately, sharing her thoughts, feelings, and observations about her daily life and the growing fear and uncertainty surrounding her.

The Frank family went into hiding in a secret annex behind Otto Frank's business premises on Prinsengracht 263 in Amsterdam. They were joined by Hermann and Auguste van Pels, and their son Peter. The 'Secret Annex' became their confined world for over two years, a place of constant fear, uncertainty, and unwavering hope. This decision was made after Anne's sister, Margot, received a call-up notice to a German work camp.

Life in the Secret Annex was incredibly challenging. The eight inhabitants lived in constant fear of discovery, relying on the generosity and bravery of non-Jewish helpers who risked their lives to provide them with food, supplies, and news from the outside world. Anne continued to write in her diary, documenting the daily struggles, the interpersonal conflicts, her dreams, and her evolving perspective on the world. Her writing became a vital outlet for her emotions and a way to maintain her sanity amidst the oppressive circumstances. During this time, she experiences her first love, and thinks a lot about her future, including what she hopes to do after the war, which she remains optimistic will end well. She hopes to become a writer.

The Secret Annex was betrayed, and the inhabitants were arrested by the Gestapo. The identity of the betrayer remains a subject of debate. The Franks, along with the Van Pels family and Fritz Pfeffer, were deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. This event marked the end of their sanctuary and the beginning of their final chapter in the Holocaust.

Anne and Margot were transferred from Auschwitz to the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in northern Germany. Bergen-Belsen was known for its horrific conditions, rampant disease, and starvation. The already weakened sisters faced unimaginable suffering in this environment.

Anne and Margot Frank both died in Bergen-Belsen, likely from typhus, just weeks before the camp was liberated by British forces. The exact date of their deaths is unknown, but it is believed to have been in late February or early March 1945. Their tragic deaths, so close to liberation, underscore the devastating impact of the Holocaust.

Otto Frank, the only surviving member of the family, returned to Amsterdam after the war. He was given Anne's diary by Miep Gies, one of the helpers who had assisted the family in hiding. After much deliberation, Otto decided to publish the diary, fulfilling Anne's wish to become a writer. 'The Diary of a Young Girl' (also known as 'The Diary of Anne Frank') was first published in Dutch in 1947, quickly gaining international recognition and becoming one of the most widely read books in the world. It stands as a powerful testament to the horrors of the Holocaust and the enduring strength of the human spirit.