Estimated Time: 10 minutes

The author includes a significant moment in Vladek’s story: the first time he sees a Nazi flag. The flag he sees is bright red with a white circle in the center, and within that circle is a black, twisted symbol called a swastika. For many people, including Vladek, seeing this flag was frightening because it represented the power of the Nazi party, which was beginning to spread fear across Europe.

To help you understand the history of the swastika, watch these videos that explain how this symbol, which was once used in many cultures for good luck, was taken by the Nazis and turned into a sign of hate and fear.

What surprised you most about the history of the swastika before it became a symbol of the Nazis?