12 Years That Shook the World

From the US Holocaust Memorial Museum, 12 Years That Shook the World explores stories of real people, the choices they made, and specific moments in Holocaust history from 1933-1945. Please be advised, 12 Years That Shook the World tells true stories from Holocaust history that may not be suitable for everyone. Thank you for listening. What did you think of the show? Take a quick survey to let us know.

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Recent Episodes

The Shtetl Crumbles Thursday, September 18, 2025

Zvi, Miriam and Leon are preparing to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, when suddenly, more armed men arrive in Eyshishok. Terror ensues, and Eyshishok begins to unravel. View Episode Transcript Thank you for listening. What did you think of the show? Take a quick survey, send your comments via email to podcast@ushmm.org.

“A Cloud Coming Down Over Our Head” Thursday, September 11, 2025

It’s June 1941. Nazi Germany invades the Soviet Union, and German soldiers arrive in Eyshishok. Zvi, Miriam and Leon’s lives are flipped upside down. View Episode Transcript Thank you for listening. What did you think of the show? Take a quick survey, send your comments via email to podcast@ushmm.org.

Season Four Trailer Thursday, September 4, 2025

From the US Holocaust Memorial Museum, welcome to 12 Years That Shook the World. This season is a six-part series: the true story of three young Jews who face the Nazi reign of terror in their hometown: Zvi Michaeli, Miriam Kabacznik, and Leon Kahn — three young Jews from a town called Eyshishok. Featuring historians from the US Holocaust Memorial Museum: Dr. Edna Friedberg, Dr. Lindsay MacNeill, and Dr. J. Luke Ryder. Thank you for listening. What did you think of the show? Take a quick survey, send your comments via email to podcast@ushmm.org.

"A Happy Little Town" Thursday, September 4, 2025

It’s 1938. In Eastern Europe, life is bustling for three young Jews growing up in their vibrant Jewish community. Miriam Kabacznik, Leon Kahn, and Zvi Michaeli. But soon, the Nazi threat emerges on the horizon. View Episode Transcript Thank you for listening. What did you think of the show? Take a quick survey, send your comments via email to podcast@ushmm.org.

Watching from the Window Thursday, September 15, 2022

When the Nazis boycott Jewish-owned businesses in Lorrach, Germany, Bernard Loeb’s neighbors turn on him. When the Nazis attack Jews, his neighbors burn his synagogue. And when the Nazis deport Bernhard, his neighbors watch it happen. So who are these neighbors? And what role did they play in Nazi crimes? Featuring Museum curator Kassandra LaPrade Seuthe. Please be advised: This podcast contains stories that listeners may find disturbing. Listen with caution. View Episode Transcript Thank you for listening. What did you think of the show? Take a quick survey, send your comments via email to podcast@ushmm.org.

An American Soldier’s Two Fronts Thursday, September 15, 2022

In 1943, amid the American Jim Crow era, a young Black American named Leon Bass enlists in the Army to fight Nazi Fascism. But once Leon enters WWII and becomes a witness to the Holocaust, he discovers something that will forever change his perspective on his home in the US, and on the world. Featuring Museum educator Lynn Williams. Please be advised: This podcast contains stories that listeners may find disturbing. Listen with caution. View Episode Transcript Thank you for listening. What did you think of the show? Take a quick survey, send your comments via email to podcast@ushmm.org.

The Rioter Thursday, September 15, 2022

In 1931—before the Nazis come to power— radical antisemite, Wolf-Heinrich Graf von Helldorff, organizes a violent riot against Jews on a vibrant Berlin avenue. This catches the attention of high-ranking Nazis. What role will Helldorff play once the Nazis take control? Featuring Museum historian Dr. Lindsay MacNeill. Please be advised: This podcast contains stories that listeners may find disturbing. Listen with caution. View Episode Transcript Thank you for listening. What did you think of the show? Take a quick survey, send your comments via email to podcast@ushmm.org.

Young Guardian Thursday, September 15, 2022

In 1937, Erwin Haber, a Jewish boy from Austria, had just turned 13. But months later when the Nazis take over his country, Erwin will be forced to navigate the world without his parents— and help his little sister and grandmother survive the Nazi reign of terror. Featuring Museum researcher Dr. Belinda Blomberg. Please be advised: This podcast contains stories that listeners may find disturbing. Listen with caution. View Episode Transcript Thank you for listening. What did you think of the show? Take a quick survey, send your comments via email to podcast@ushmm.org.

Looking Danger in the Eye Thursday, September 15, 2022

When Frieda Belinfante’s home country of the Netherlands is invaded by the Nazis in 1940, she leaves her flourishing music career to join the resistance movement. In defiance of the Nazi regime, Frieda, a lesbian, will risk her life to protect Jews, musicians, and other members of her community. Featuring Museum historian Dr. Jake Newsome. Please be advised: This podcast contains stories that listeners may find disturbing. Listen with caution. View Episode Transcript Thank you for listening. What did you think of the show? Take a quick survey, send your comments via email to podcast@ushmm.org.

Season Three Trailer Thursday, September 15, 2022

Explore the lives of real people, who make unexpected choices that have major impacts. In this season of 12 Years That Shook the World, we bring you more stories from Holocaust history that may surprise you. View Episode Transcript Thank you for listening. What did you think of the show? Take a quick survey, send your comments via email to podcast@ushmm.org.

Combatants and Protectors Wednesday, April 28, 2021

When the Germans invade the Soviet Union in 1941, three Jewish brothers prepare to fight back. Tuvia, Zus, and Asael Bielski hide in a dense forest, and form a group of resistance fighters. While surviving in the forbidding wilderness, they also rescue Jews, and try to hold on to a sense of community. Featuring historian Dr. J. Luke Ryder. Please be advised: This podcast contains stories that listeners may find disturbing. Listen with caution. View Episode Transcript Thank you for listening. What did you think of the show? Take a quick survey, send your comments via email to podcast@ushmm.org.

Convinced Wednesday, April 21, 2021

All her life, Pauline Kneissler wanted to become a nurse. And in 1939, she is recruited by the Nazis to be a nurse in a secret killing operation. Will she be forced to murder? Or will she choose to become a killer? Featuring historian Dr. Patricia Heberer-Rice. Please be advised: This podcast contains stories that listeners may find disturbing. Listen with caution. View Episode Transcript Thank you for listening. What did you think of the show? Take a quick survey, send your comments via email to podcast@ushmm.org

Bad Conscience Wednesday, April 14, 2021

Hans Scholl, his sister Sophie, and his friends at the University of Munich secretly form a resistance group called “The White Rose.” They distribute messages condemning the Nazi regime, and speak out on behalf of Jews. Until one morning in 1943, they’re caught. Featuring Dr. Rebecca Dupas. Please be advised: This podcast contains stories that listeners may find disturbing. Listen with caution. View Episode Transcript Thank you for listening. What did you think of the show? Take a quick survey, send your comments via email to podcast@ushmm.org

Resister in a Nazi Uniform Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Kurt Gerstein, a Nazi SS officer, is asked to supply the chemical Zyklon B to the Auschwitz killing center in 1942. But once Gerstein sees that the chemical will be used to murder Jews in gas chambers— he makes an unexpected move. Featuring historian Dr. Jürgen Matthäus. Please be advised: This podcast contains stories that listeners may find disturbing. Listen with caution. View Episode Transcript Thank you for listening. What did you think of the show? Take a quick survey, send your comments via email to podcast@ushmm.org

Accidental Witness Wednesday, March 31, 2021

While visiting Vienna, Austria with her family in March 1938, American Helen Baker finds herself caught up in a pivotal moment. She watches as the Nazis move in and annex Austria. Then, she steps into the story, herself. Featuring historian Dr. Rebecca Erbelding. Please be advised: This podcast contains stories that listeners may find disturbing. Listen with caution. View Episode Transcript Thank you for listening. What did you think of the show? Take a quick survey, send your comments via email to podcast@ushmm.org

Season 2 Trailer Monday, March 29, 2021

12 Years That Shook the World explores stories of real people, the choices they made, and specific moments in Holocaust history from 1933-1945. From the US Holocaust Memorial Museum, this podcast is released in seasons, twice-yearly.

Thousands of False Identities Tuesday, December 18, 2018

From an office in Geneva, Switzerland, two friends—a Jewish businessman and the Salvadoran colonel who rescued him—manufactured thousands of false citizenship documents that protected Jews in Nazi-controlled Europe. This is the story of the largest Holocaust rescue you’ve never heard of. Featuring Edna Friedberg, a historian at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum. Please be advised: This podcast contains stories that listeners may find disturbing. Listen with caution. View Episode Transcript Thank you for listening. What did you think of the show? Take a quick survey, send your comments via email to podcast@ushmm.org.

Genocide, 1948 Tuesday, December 18, 2018

“We are in the presence of a crime without a name,” Winston Churchill said in a 1941 speech. At the time of the Holocaust, there was no legal definition for an atrocity on such an enormous scale. And there wouldn’t be one for seven more years—until the United Nations adopted the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. How has this document been applied in a post-Holocaust world? Featuring Cameron Hudson, Senior Strategy Advisor and former director of the Simon-Skjodt Center for the Prevention of Genocide at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum. Please be advised: This podcast contains stories that listeners may find disturbing. Listen with caution.

What a Secret Archive Taught the World Monday, December 17, 2018

Most of what we know about the Holocaust comes from Nazi perpetrator documents. One striking exception is the Ringelblum Archive: a massive collection of artifacts and writings from Jews trapped in the Warsaw ghetto during the German occupation of Poland. Under the leadership of historian Emanuel Ringelblum, these oppressed people secretly wrote and preserved their own history. Featuring Holocaust scholar Leah Wolfson, Senior Program Officer at the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Center for Advanced Holocaust Studies at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum. Please be advised: This podcast contains stories that listeners may find disturbing. Listen with caution.

Welcome to 12 Years That Shook the World Friday, December 14, 2018

12 Years That Shook the World explores stories of real people, the choices they made, and specific moments in Holocaust history from 1933–1945.