Did the Second World War begin on Westerplatte? Changing memories and the Museum of the Second World War in Gdansk

Lecture by Dr. Jan Daniluk (Museum of the Second World War in Gdansk)

Das 2025 eröffnete Besucherzentrum auf der Westerplatte in Danzig, eine Außenstelle des Museums des Zweiten Weltkriegs in Danzig

The German attack on the Polish military post on Westerplatte on September 1, 1939 is considered the beginning of the Second World War in Europe. But how was and is this event remembered? What significance does Gdansk have today - in Poland, Germany and beyond?

The historian Dr. Jan Daniluk from the Museum of the Second World War in Gdansk sheds light on the eventful history of remembrance of the Westerplatte and shows how perspectives on the start of the war have changed since 1945. He will also look at different national interpretations and the question of why Gdansk in particular is regarded as a central place of remembrance of the Second World War.

At the same time, the lecture presents the work of the Museum of the Second World War in Gdansk, which deals with the causes, experiences and consequences of the war from an international perspective.Translated with DeepL

Booking: Please register at

Next date:

• Date Thursday, 21/May/2026 19:00 bis 20:30
• Venue Museum Berlin-Karlshorst
• Address Zwieseler Straße 4, 10318 Berlin-Lichtenberg