Teaching History Matters

480 articles
Indomitable.
November 4, 2023

Indomitable.

I'm still processing the horrific attack on Israel, as we all are. Our scriptwriter and webmaster for the film A Train...

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Looking for Eva.
October 7, 2023

Looking for Eva.

I recently had a chance to re-connect with a researcher from my days in the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum...

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Hudson Falls teacher uncovers video of Holocaust rescue
September 7, 2023

Hudson Falls teacher uncovers video of Holocaust rescue

Most recent article update. Seven survivors or their families have come forward to say they see themselves and or their...

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"THREE CHEERS FOR AMERICA!"
July 29, 2023

"THREE CHEERS FOR AMERICA!"

Newly discovered US Army footage of the Train Near Magdeburg surfaces after 78 years. 'Three Cheers For America.' Note numbers...

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The Ebb and Flow.
June 22, 2023

The Ebb and Flow.

I finally got to visit the resting place of the man who, in a miracle of many miracles of the...

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For Memorial Day-The letter that was never opened.
May 29, 2023

For Memorial Day-The letter that was never opened.

[caption id="attachment_5561" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Blair Williams grave by Vincent Heggen, 2017. Netherlands American Cemetery.[/caption] Here in the United States, Memorial...

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A Message of Love and Hope.
April 27, 2023

A Message of Love and Hope.

After 24 or more hours of travel back to the USA from Israel, we landed in film director Mike Edwards’...

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The Messenger.
April 24, 2023

The Messenger.

Yesterday we conducted our last interviews, two children of camp Bergen-Belsen who actually knew each other then. Miriam Muller was...

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A Mission of Remembrance.
April 21, 2023

A Mission of Remembrance.

We went north again and visited with survivors Yaakov and Simcha. Yaakov Barzilai just turned 90; a Tel Aviv TV...

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A visit to Yad Vashem.
April 20, 2023

A visit to Yad Vashem.

A visit to Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust Martyrs and Heroes Remembrance Authority. Film team tour of the Museum. A must....

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Aliza and Ruti.
April 20, 2023

Aliza and Ruti.

Today we headed North to outside of Haifa and Netanya to interview two young lovelies (Aliza, Ruti) of Polish heritage...

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The Good Always Wins.
April 19, 2023

The Good Always Wins.

We are halfway through our interview tour here in Israel with the survivors of the Train near Magdeburg. Of course,...

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Violins of Hope. Train to Magdeburg tour of Israel, 2023.
April 17, 2023

Violins of Hope. Train to Magdeburg tour of Israel, 2023.

Violins of Hope. Train to Magdeburg tour of Israel, 2023. We are in Jerusalem now, the City of God, after...

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DUTY. HONOR. COUNTRY.
April 14, 2023

DUTY. HONOR. COUNTRY.

Yesterday I had the great honor of presenting to the senior leadership, faculty, and most importantly, the cadets at the...

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My Request is This.
February 8, 2023

My Request is This.

I recently returned from speaking engagements to mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day. A good friend and her dedicated staff hosted...

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International Holocaust Remembrance Day 2023
January 27, 2023

International Holocaust Remembrance Day 2023

Today we mark the 78th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, the most notorious of the murderous camps of the...

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For Veterans Day.
November 12, 2022

For Veterans Day.

I did a local talk last week to about 150 local veterans. I spoke about my latest book on the...

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"We thought we were going to die"
September 12, 2022

"We thought we were going to die"

On August 30, 2022, first and second generation survivors and liberating families met to re-dedicate the monument at Farsleben which...

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A Gold Star family learns of the dad they never knew.
September 6, 2022

A Gold Star family learns of the dad they never knew.

At the end of July, I was the featured speaker at the 30th Infantry Division Association reunion. There I met...

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We Remember.
July 31, 2022

We Remember.

I spoke yesterday to the 30th Infantry Division Association at the invitation of Col. Wes Morrison, after a two year...

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The Final Leg of the Filming Tour: Omaha Beach, Hill 314, and the Normandy American Cemetery.
June 5, 2022

The Final Leg of the Filming Tour: Omaha Beach, Hill 314, and the Normandy American Cemetery.

THE SEVENTY-EIGHTH ANNIVERSARY OF D-DAY is upon us. Thirty-eight years ago, I watched as the American president honored the fallen,...

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After two-year delay, author Matthew Rozell visits Magdeburg, Germany
May 24, 2022

After two-year delay, author Matthew Rozell visits Magdeburg, Germany

Some of our local news outlets have shown interest in this story. One ran today. We hope to have the...

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For Walter.
April 29, 2022

For Walter.

On April 15, we were in Germany and visited the site of one of former medic Walter Gantz's recurring nightmares....

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 The New German Witnesses: 77 Years. Tour Day 4. April 14, 2022.
April 16, 2022

 The New German Witnesses: 77 Years. Tour Day 4. April 14, 2022.

DAY 4. Today, Thursday, we interviewed German students in their former school near the liberation site. They discuss the responsibility...

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Day 3. April 13, 2022. 77 Years.
April 13, 2022

Day 3. April 13, 2022. 77 Years.

On this day the Train Near Magdeburg, pictured above in the 743rd Tank Battalion's After Action Report following the 4-13-1945...

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DAY 2. April 12, 2022. Finding the actual location f the 'Moment of Liberation' photograph.
April 13, 2022

DAY 2. April 12, 2022. Finding the actual location f the 'Moment of Liberation' photograph.

DAY 2. WE.FOUND.THE.TRAIN. We got to Magdeburg this afternoon, checked in to the lovely hotel, strolled down to the Elbe...

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AT BERGEN BELSEN.
April 11, 2022

AT BERGEN BELSEN.

After 36 hours of travel and lost luggage, I arrived at Celle, Germany, joining film director Mike Edwards and crew...

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A Homecoming of Sorts.
April 8, 2022

A Homecoming of Sorts.

I've just returned from a homecoming of sorts, and truth be told, I'm kind of wiped out. Yes, the emotion...

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2022 Roemer Lecture on World Affairs
April 4, 2022

2022 Roemer Lecture on World Affairs

Wed. April 6, SUNY GENESEO, Kenneth Roemer Lecture, Doty Recital Hall 205. 2.30 PM. Free. Tomorrow I am heading to...

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ACROSS THE RHINE.
February 12, 2022

ACROSS THE RHINE.

Preview here. Available at Amazon, or direct from author. I've been kinda bad about posting since I retired, but forgive...

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Wannsee-The intentionality of the Holocaust, on display.
January 21, 2022

Wannsee-The intentionality of the Holocaust, on display.

Today is the 80th anniversary of the intentionality of the Holocaust. This meeting lasted 90 minutes. I visited a few...

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"We will come back..." Remembering Babi Yar at 80 years
September 29, 2021

"We will come back..." Remembering Babi Yar at 80 years

Today marks a watershed moment in the history of the Holocaust, one I knew little about until my advanced studies.

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In defense of minorities.
July 7, 2021

In defense of minorities.

In my hometown of Hudson Falls, New York, atop the hill overlooking the majestic Hudson River, there is a monument...

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APRIL 13, 1945. The New Witnesses.
April 13, 2021

APRIL 13, 1945. The New Witnesses.

On this day the Train Near Magdeburg, pictured above in the 743rd Tank Battalion's After Action Report following the 4-13-1945...

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Now you know all the secrets. Archeologist David Starbuck, 1949-2020.
March 7, 2021

Now you know all the secrets. Archeologist David Starbuck, 1949-2020.

[caption id="attachment_6946" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Dr. David Starbuck maps the Officers Dwelling on Rogers Island, September, 2019. Matthew Rozell photo.[/caption] Longtime...

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My father took over 200,000 Japanese to their deaths in less than 4 days.
August 7, 2020

My father took over 200,000 Japanese to their deaths in less than 4 days.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="600"] A mushroom cloud billows about one hour after a nuclear bomb was detonated above Hiroshima.Credit...Hiroshima Peace...

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