On June 12, 1942, she wrote “I hope I will be able to confide everything to you, as I have never been able to confide in anyone”

The Final Jeopardy clue for Monday, September 8, 2025, appeared in the category Famous Names and offered a striking quote: “On June 12, 1942, she wrote ‘I hope I will be able to confide everything to you, as I have never been able to confide in anyone.’”

Who is Anne Frank?

This line, penned by a thirteen-year-old girl on her birthday, marked the beginning of one of the most widely read and deeply impactful diaries in modern history. That diary would go on to serve not only as a personal record of adolescence during extraordinary circumstances, but also as an enduring document of the human spirit amid one of the darkest periods of the 20th century.

The Voice Behind the Diary

Anne Frank was a German-born Jewish girl living in Amsterdam during the Nazi occupation. When the threat of deportation became imminent, her family went into hiding in a secret annex behind her father’s business premises. It was in this hidden space that Anne began writing in a red-and-white checkered diary she had received as a gift on her thirteenth birthday, June 12, 1942.

In that first entry, Anne named her diary “Kitty” and began addressing it as a confidante—reflecting her need for emotional expression and privacy during a time when such freedoms were rapidly disappearing. Her words were not merely the thoughts of a teenager but captured detailed observations about family tensions, the strain of confinement, and her hopes for the future.

The Significance of June 12, 1942

That initial diary entry offers a powerful window into Anne’s inner world just weeks before her family went into hiding. While the entry is lighthearted and innocent on the surface, it foreshadows the emotional depth and insight that would define the rest of her writings. Over the following two years, Anne chronicled life in hiding, the psychological toll of fear, and her aspirations of becoming a writer.

What makes the quote notable in a historical context is how it transformed from a personal note into a symbol of universal yearning—for connection, for voice, and for remembrance. That Anne’s words are still widely quoted today underscores the impact of her reflections.

Legacy After the Diary

Anne Frank’s diary was preserved by Miep Gies, one of the Dutch citizens who helped the family during their time in hiding. After the family was betrayed and arrested in 1944, Anne died at Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in early 1945. Her father, Otto Frank, was the only surviving member of the immediate family. He later compiled and published her diary, initially released in Dutch as Het Achterhuis (The Secret Annex) in 1947.

Since its publication, The Diary of a Young Girl has been translated into over 70 languages and read by millions. It remains a staple in schools, museums, and discussions about the Holocaust, and it stands as one of the most powerful personal accounts of World War II.

Why This Clue Resonates

The Final Jeopardy clue highlighted more than a famous name—it pointed to a voice that continues to resonate across generations. The fact that Anne Frank’s first entry in her diary is so widely recognized is a testament to how powerfully her words have connected with readers across cultures and decades.

Jeopardy clues often reward not just trivia knowledge, but also cultural and historical literacy. This particular clue reminded viewers of a real individual who, though young, made an extraordinary impact through the simple act of writing honestly. It reflects the show’s tradition of using its platform to engage with meaningful historical moments, ensuring that figures like Anne Frank are not forgotten.