Americans and the Holocaust: The Voyage of the St. Louis

Dr. Diane Afoumado of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum explores the tragic 1939 journey of the St. Louis—a refugee ship carrying 937 passengers fleeing Nazi Germany, only to be turned away from both Cuban and American shores. Drawing on the captain’s diary, survivor testimonies, and rare archival materials, Dr. Afoumado sheds light on the experiences of Jews on the St. Louis and discusses the ship’s connection to Florida and its role in shaping global responses to refugees. Partnership with the Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Florida.