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November Pogroms of 1938

On the night of November 9, 1938, Nazis destroyed Jewish-owned shops and synagogues across German-speaking Europe — a violent escalation of the Nazis' systematic attempts to eradicate the Jews.

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Reports & Analysis

Adolf Hitler standing at a podium giving a speech to Nazi members at the Munich beer hall, Nov. 8, 1939.

Adolf Hitler standing at a podium giving a speech to Nazi members at the Munich beer hall, Nov. 8, 1939.

Germany looks back at Adolf Hitler's coup attempt

Germany looks back at Adolf Hitler's coup attempt

A decade before he rose to power with the Nazis, Hitler's failed "Beer Hall Putsch" put him on the political map.

Rabbi Zsolt Balla leads prayers as German leaders attend a ceremony at the Beth Zion Synagogue in Berlin commemorating the victims of violence and arson on the night of November 9, 1938

Rabbi Zsolt Balla leads prayers as German leaders attend a ceremony at the Beth Zion Synagogue in Berlin commemorating the victims of violence and arson on the night of November 9, 1938

Germany commemorates destruction of synagogues 85 years ago

Germany commemorates destruction of synagogues 85 years ago

In 1938, Jewish synagogues, businesses and homes were systematically attacked and burned.

Fire engulfs Berlin's Eberswalde Synagogue on November 9, 1938

Fire engulfs Berlin's Eberswalde Synagogue on November 9, 1938

'Kristallnacht' not strong enough term for anti-Jewish riots

'Kristallnacht' not strong enough term for anti-Jewish riots

In Germany, the term "Kristallnacht" is falling out of favor when referring to the violent events of November 9, 1938

A group of Jewish men marching down a street, the two in the front have a large yellow star tied to them. Men in uniform walk in front of and alongside them

A group of Jewish men marching down a street, the two in the front have a large yellow star tied to them. Men in uniform walk in front of and alongside them

Nazi brutality: the November 9, 1938 pogroms

Nazi brutality: the November 9, 1938 pogroms

On the night of November 9, 1938, Nazis carried out pogroms against Jews in plain sight.

White roses sit on a railroad track.

White roses sit on a railroad track.

Berlin's Jewish memorials are places of remembrance

Berlin's Jewish memorials are places of remembrance

Many memorials in Berlin commemorate victims of the Nazi' Holocaust. Their message is now more relevant than ever.

Screenshot from the video game 'The Light in the Darkness,' showing a standing man with one arm around the shoulder of a seated woman.

Screenshot from the video game 'The Light in the Darkness,' showing a standing man with one arm around the shoulder of a seated woman.

How video games tackle the Holocaust

How video games tackle the Holocaust

Video games often feature Nazis, but rarely focus on the Nazi dictatorship's crimes and the Holocaust. That is changing.

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Skip next section In the spotlight

In the spotlight

projection of the former synagogue in Dortmund

projection of the former synagogue in Dortmund

A light in the darkness: Remembering Germany's destroyed synagogues

In 1938, most of Germany's synagogues were destroyed. This year, they were brought back to life in colorful projections.

Part of the "Disappearing Wall" made of plexiglass and wooden blocks, with people standing behind them.

Part of the "Disappearing Wall" made of plexiglass and wooden blocks, with people standing behind them.

A 'disappearing' artwork for Holocaust victims

In Dresden, an art installation recalls the pogrom that began on November 9, 1938.