Oscar Schindler

1st May 1962: Hundreds of Jews and their families turned out at Lydda Airport, Israel to welcome Oscar Schindler (1908 - 1974), a Sudeten-born German, of Frankfurt, who is said to have been responsible for saving 11,100 Jews from the Nazi persecutions during World War II. He employed the Jews in a factory he operated at Zabiceczech, near Cracow, and although often questioned by the occupation forces, always averted danger by exploiting personal contacts. He was brought to Israel as a guest of the government to take part in the ceremony of planting the first saplings in 8The Avenue of Righteous Gentilese today to commemorate non-Jews who helped Jews against the Nazis during the war. Original Artwork: Photo shows: Mr Schindler on arrival at Lydda Airport, Israel (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)