17th February 1944

I was upstairs this morning, since I promised Mrs. Van D. I'd read her some of my stories. I began with Eva's Dream, which she liked a lot, and then I read a few passages from "The Secret Annex" which had her in stitches.

Today is Margot Frank's 88th birthday. It is also one of my relative's birthdays and when I found out she shared a birthday with Margot, I always call her 'Betti' after Margot's middle name. 

Also 80 years ago today. Anne Frank arrived in Holland. She writes in her diary on 20th June 1942:

"Margot went to Holland in December, and I followed in February, where I was plonked down on the table as a birthday present for Margot". 

For all Anne Frank lovers, their ultimate dream is to visit 263 Prinsengracht , the Anne Frank House, The Secret Annexe or whatever you want to call it. Well if you want to visit now!... then you can. Please click the link below and you can visit the Anne Frank House now!

http://www.annefrank.org/en/Subsites/Home/Enter-the-3D-house/

The Anne Frank tree is the chestnut tree Anne saw from the attic of the Secret Annexe, during her two year confinement. If you feel like Anne has inspired you or is a big part in your life, you can leave a leaf in the tree. Even though the tree was blown down in a summer storm on 23rd August 2010, 19 days after 65th anniversary of Anne's arrest.

Please click the link below and you can leave a leaf for Anne.

http://www.annefrank.org/en/Subsites/AnneFrankTree/

This is the Merwedeplein Square where the Frank family lived. Their apartment, Merwedeplein 37 is on the right hand side. It is marked by a black line.

Anne's class photograph from 1936.

‘It was good for Anne to attend a Montessori school, where every pupil is treated as an individual.'

- Otto Frank