It is said that we study history in order to learn from past mistakes.
It can also be said, however, that if we want to move the world forward in a positive light, we must study and emulate those who had the courage to do the right thing in the face of danger.
They give us models to follow, and help us to realize that all of us have this capacity for greatness.
The Holocaust is one of the darkest chapters in human history.
It was a time when evil reigned supreme.
It was also a time when thousands upon thousands of individuals made the choice to do what they knew was right, rather than conform to a powerful dictatorship.
When Germany invaded in 1940, the leaders of Denmark chose not to fight.
They co-operated with the Nazis, but only on the surface.
The underground Danish resistance was powerful, and by 1943 the Nazis had had enough and took control of the government.
When they ordered all Jews to be sent to concentration camps, the Danes organized one of the most incredible rescue missions ever accomplished.
Over two nights in early October, over 7,000 Jews were smuggled out of the country under the noses of the Nazis.
This was an amazing feat.
People had to be hidden, brought to ports, loaded into fishing boats and ferried to neutral Sweden.
Recall that this was a time when anti-Semitism was the norm in much of the world, when spies were everywhere, and when getting caught by the Nazis meant almost certain death.
In the end, Denmark saved roughly 99 per cent of its Jewish population.
They were even able to negotiate for the safety of those who were taken to concentration camps.
Not only that, but when Jews returned home after the war, they found their possessions intact, often cared for by their non-Jewish neighbours.
One quality of people who do the right thing in the face of imminent danger is that they see what they did as normal, something that anyone would do in their situation.
In a sense they are right, anyone could do what they did.
The problem is that many do not. Perhaps the issue is that many of us do not realize that we have a choice.
The Danes knew that they were risking their lives, but one can choose to risk one's life rather than defy one's conscience, and that is what they did.
In teaching history, it is important to not only study the horrors of violence and the brutality of dictators, it is vital that we emphasize the human capacity for courage and selflessness.
Throughout history we see where those who choose to do good are either successful or inspire others to follow in their footsteps and be successful.
This gives a clear message that we are not powerless pawns who can only hope for the best, but that we are powerful and that we do indeed have a choice.
We each have tremendous capacity for good.
When we are aware of it, we can defy the most powerful dictator.
We really can change the world.
