On this day in 1939, Jews living in German-occupied Poland were forced to wear blue and white armbands depicting the Star of David. Nazi authorities intended to humiliate and segregate the Polish-Jewish population, which eventually led to the adoption of the yellow star badge used in other regions.Hans Frank, head of the general government, commanded all Jews over the age of 10 to wear the white armband with the blue Star of David embroidered. The band was worn on top of the upper right sleeve of one’s clothing. Jews had to make, pay for, and distribute their own badges. Those who failed to comply were fined, imprisoned, deported, or killed.The armbands separated Jews from society and made them easier targets for Nazis, who used the bands to effectively facilitate the ghettoization and deportation of Jews. Jews chose to conceal the bands, but by doing so, they faced the potential of imprisonment and expulsion to concentration camps. Various groups rose in support of the Jews throughout World War II, including the Dutch in Holland who wore the badges in solidarity with Jews. The armband and its yellow star successor were used until the end of the War in 1945.