History of Purim in Timeline

Purim is a Jewish holiday commemorating the salvation of the Jewish people from Haman's plot to annihilate them in the Achaemenid Empire, as told in the Book of Esther. Celebrated annually on the 14th of Adar (or Adar II in leap years), it's a joyous occasion marked by public readings of the Megillah (Book of Esther), sending food gifts to friends, giving charity to the poor, and enjoying a festive meal. Costumes and plays are also common traditions, creating a celebratory and communal atmosphere.

1930: Purim Meshulash interval

In 1930, a possible interval of seventeen years between occurrences of Purim Meshulash began.

November 1938: Nazi ban on Purim observance

In November 1938, specifically the day after Kristallnacht on November 10, Adolf Hitler banned the observance of Purim. Nazi politician Julius Streicher suggested that Jews would institute a new Purim festival in Germany if they succeeded in inciting a war.

1942: Nazi atrocities on Purim

On Purim in 1942, ten Jews were hanged in Zduńska Wola by the Nazis to "avenge" the hanging of Haman's ten sons. Also in 1942, the Nazis murdered over 5000 Jews, mostly children, in the Minsk Ghetto. The victims were shot and buried alive.

1943: Nazi atrocities on Purim Eve

In 1943, during Purim, the Nazis shot ten Jews from the Piotrków ghetto. On Purim eve in 1943, over 100 Jewish doctors and their families were shot by the Nazis in Częstochowa. The following day, Jewish doctors were taken from Radom and shot nearby in Szydłowiec.

January 1944: Hitler's speech about a 'second Purim'

On January 30, 1944, Hitler stated in a speech that if the Nazis were defeated, the Jews would celebrate "a second Purim".

October 1946: Execution of Nazi defendants

On October 16, 1946, ten Nazi defendants in the Nuremberg Trials were executed by hanging, coinciding with Hoshana Rabbah, the final judgement day of Judaism. Hermann Göring, an eleventh Nazi official sentenced to death, committed suicide.

1947: Purim Meshulash interval

In 1947, a possible interval of seventeen years between occurrences of Purim Meshulash ended.

1947: Reference to Jewish year

The Jewish year 5707, which corresponds to the secular year 1946–1947, is referenced in a code within the Book of Esther, relating to the names of Haman's ten sons and the numerical values of certain Hebrew letters.

March 1953: Stalin's paralysis and death

On March 1, 1953, which corresponds to Purim 1953, Joseph Stalin was suddenly paralyzed, leading to his death four days later. Stalin's death averted nationwide pogroms against Jews throughout the Soviet Union, and Stalin's infamous doctors' plot was halted.

1954: Purim Meshulash interval

In 1954, the maximum interval between occurrences of Purim Meshulash was 20 years, marking the start of such an interval.

1960: Release of 'Esther and the King' film

In 1960, the film "Esther and the King", starring Joan Collins as Esther and Richard Egan as Ahasuerus, was released.

1974: Purim Meshulash interval

In 1974, the minimum interval between occurrences of Purim Meshulash was three years, marking the start of such an interval.

1977: Purim Meshulash interval

In 1977, the minimum interval between occurrences of Purim Meshulash was three years, marking the end of such an interval.

1981: Purim Meshulash interval

In 1981, a possible interval of four years between occurrences of Purim Meshulash began.

1991: End of the Gulf War

The 1991 Gulf War, during which Iraq launched 39 Scud missiles against Israel, ended on Purim in 1991.

1994: Purim Meshulash interval

In 1994, a possible interval of seven years between occurrences of Purim Meshulash began.

1994: Cave of the Patriarchs massacre

The Cave of the Patriarchs massacre took place during Purim of 1994.

March 1996: Dizengoff Center suicide bombing

On March 4, 1996, on the eve of Purim, the Dizengoff Center suicide bombing took place, killing 13 people.

2001: Purim Meshulash interval

In 2001, a possible interval of four years between occurrences of Purim Meshulash began.

2005: Purim Meshulash interval

In 2005, the minimum interval between occurrences of Purim Meshulash was three years, marking the start of such an interval.

2006: Release of 'For Your Consideration'

In 2006, the comedy film "For Your Consideration" was released, featuring a film-within-a-film titled "Home for Purim" about a Southern Jewish family's Purim celebration, which is later renamed "Home for Thanksgiving".

2006: Release of 'One Night with the King' movie

In 2006, the movie "One Night with the King", chronicling the life of Hadassah, who becomes the Biblical Esther, was released.

2008: Purim Meshulash interval

In 2008, the minimum interval between occurrences of Purim Meshulash was three years, marking the end of such an interval.

2021: Purim Meshulash interval

In 2021, a possible interval of four years between occurrences of Purim Meshulash began.

2024: Purim directives and cancellations due to Gaza war

In 2024, ahead of Purim, Israel's Education Ministry issued a directive to schools and kindergartens about avoiding "panic-inducing costumes" due to the Gaza war. Many places in Israel also decided to cancel Purim events in 2024.