Historical Archive

Documented testimonies of events that shape our memory

283 documented events in the archive

The Jews of Novi Sad 1942 – 700–1,000 Jews executed in the Novi Sad raid, the Great Synagogue empty afterwards

21–23 January 1942 – the Hungarians execute 700–1,000 Jews in the Novi Sad raid (alongside 800–2,500 Serbs). Jews made up 30–40% of all victims. The Hungarians arrested Jews directly from synagogues and homes. The entire Jewish community of Novi Sad was destroyed. The Great Synagogue (1909) – empty after the raid. Before the raid: 4,000+ Jews in Novi Sad. Afterwards: ~2,000 survived (many fled). 1944: The survivors deported to Auschwitz. Today: ~300 Jews in Novi Sad (out of 4,000 before WWII).

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21 October 1941 - Kragujevac Massacre, 2,778-7,000 Serbian civilians shot by the Germans

21 October 1941 - the Germans shoot 2,778-7,000 Serbian civilians in Kragujevac (reprisal for partisan attacks on German soldiers). Among the victims: gymnasium pupils (aged 11-18), factory workers, farmers, the elderly. Shot in Šumarice. The worst massacre in occupied Europe (WW2). The Germans applied the "100 for 1 rule" - for every German soldier killed, 100 Serbs were shot. A war crime. The Germans NEVER answered for it.

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Kragujevac gymnasium pupils 1941 - 300+ boys (aged 11-18) shot, the youngest victims of the massacre

21 October 1941 - the Germans shoot 300+ pupils of the Kragujevac gymnasium and primary schools (boys aged 11-18). The Germans arrested pupils straight from the classroom (Professor Miloje Pavlović protested - he was shot together with the pupils). Youngest victim: 11 years old. Mothers found their children in Šumarice (shot with their school books in their hands). A symbol of innocence destroyed by war. Today: the Gymnasium "21 October" - a memorial to the pupils.

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Kragujevac 1941 - a German war crime, impunity (no one answered for the 2,778-7,000 Serbs shot)

The Kragujevac massacre (21 October 1941) - a German war crime documented at the Nuremberg Trials (1945-1946). The "100 for 1 rule" was a violation of the Hague Convention (collective punishment is prohibited). General Franz Böhme (responsible for the massacre) committed suicide in 1947 (before trial). NONE of the German officers who carried out the massacre were convicted. Impunity. A contrast with the ICTY (Hague Tribunal) - Serbs convicted for lesser crimes. Double standards of justice.

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"The Kragujevac October" – A Symbol of Serbian Suffering (Desanka Maksimović's poem, book, film, commemoration)

"The Kragujevac October" – a symbol of Serbian suffering in WWII (the massacre of 21 October 1941, when the Germans executed 2,778–7,000 Serbs). The poem "A Bloody Fairy Tale" (Desanka Maksimović, 1945) – dedicated to the grammar-school pupils. The book "A Diary about Čarnojević" (Mihailo Lalić). The film "The Kragujevac October" (1980). Every year (21 October) – the Day of Remembrance (citizens come to Šumarice, lay flowers). "The Kragujevac October" = a symbol: we will never forget.

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16-20 October 1941 - the Kraljevo massacre, 2,000-5,000 Serbian civilians shot by the Germans (the first major massacre)

16-20 October 1941 - the Germans shoot 2,000-5,000 Serbian civilians in Kraljevo (reprisal for a Partisan attack). The "100 for 1 rule" - for every German soldier killed, 100 Serbs shot. Kraljevo = the FIRST major massacre (3 weeks BEFORE Kragujevac). Shootings over 5 days. Among the victims: pupils, workers, peasants, priests. Youngest victim: 16. The Germans were NEVER held accountable. The second-worst massacre in occupied Serbia.

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"First Defenders" Kraljevo 1941-1942 - Workers of the "Prvi Partizan" factory shot (600+), resistance to the German occupation

"First Defenders" - workers of the "Prvi Partizan" factory in Kraljevo (an ammunition manufacturer). October 1941 - the Germans occupied the factory, arrested 600+ workers. 16-20 October 1941 - most of the workers shot in the massacre. "First Defenders" = a symbol of Serbian resistance (workers refused to work for the Germans). The factory today bears the name "Prvi Partizan" - in honor of the workers who were shot. A memorial plaque with 612 names of workers.

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