Raoul Wallenberg

Near the end of World War II, a 31-year old Swedish businessman, Raoul Wallenberg, volunteered to leave the safety of his peaceful homeland and travel to war-torn Budapest to save the lives of Jews threatened by the Nazis. Hungary had the largest remaining Jewish community left in Nazi-occupied Europe. Through the use of forged protective passports of his own design, Swedish safe houses, and his influence on political authorities in many spheres, he was able to save the lives of more than 100,000 Jews in six months.

On January 17, 1945, Raoul Wallenberg was arrested by Soviet troops on unknown charges, and tragically disappeared into the prison system. His fate remains a mystery today.

For his heroic actions, the United States named Raoul Wallenberg an Honorary Citizen of the United States in 1981. He stands alongside Winston Churchill, the Marquis de Lafayette and Mother Teresa as one of only four persons to receive this honor.

It is because of the heroic humanitarian actions of Raoul Wallenberg that A STUDY OF HEROES was developed. It is our living monument to commemorate the heroism and courage of Raoul Wallenberg. By sharing the stories of heroes with students exploring the issues surrounding personal responsibility, generations to come will understand and keep principles of heroism and peace alive.