Note: This post was originally published on July 27, 2014. Mr. Winton sadly passed away today (7/1/2015). He was 106 years old. Read his obituary, which documents his amazing deeds, here.
Procrastinators take note.
Some teens of my acquaintance have been agitating for a meeting with a Holocaust survivor. These encounters, common enough in my childhood, are growing less so as those with firsthand knowledge enter their golden years. Bear in mind that Eva Lavi, the youngest person named on Oskar Schindler’s List, is now 76.
Sir Nicholas Winton is definitely an inspiring figure, and not just for his remarkable longevity. From late 1938 until the start of the war, he managed to rescue 669 Czech children—most of them Jews.
Winton made no public mention of his heroics, until 1988, when the BBC obtained his rescue scrapbook and used it to coordinate a massive live on-air surprise during the program That’s Life (see above).
I plan on using the 60 Minutes episode below to introduce my teen friends—most of whom stoutly declare they’d have hidden Anne Frank without a second thought—to a man whose actions speak louder than words.
via Holy Kaw
Related Content:
Alice Herz-Sommer, the Oldest Holocaust Survivor (Thanks to the Power of Music), Dies at 110
Rudolf Brazda, Last Man to Wear the Pink Triangle During the Holocaust, Tells His Story
Anne Frank: The Only Existing Video Now Online
Ayun Halliday is an author, homeschooler, and Chief Primatologist of the East Village Inky zine. Follow her @AyunHalliday
I am sorry to say that it is the first time l hear about this great man, Sir Nicholas Winton. Thank you for posting.
I read your post, followed all of the links and watched all of the videos. The word that comes to mind: despair. Then, Sir Nicholas Winton reminds me that one man can make a difference. Outside, the rain pours down like the heavens know what I saw, and mourns…
How does one instill courage in others? Through example…prepare yourselves to act when the call comes, but don’t just wait for it, seek it out, take heart and be brave…many will benefit from your actions
I’m in the middle of watching Nick’s Family on Netflix streaming. It is mainly interviews, but with documentary footage and dramatization thrown in.
I watched the documentary years ago and was very moved. Seeing these 2 interviews was so touching. What a great man! So many of us were betrayed in the holocaust-so many, including my family and parents. A real hero-Sir Nicholas Winton.