Saturday, April 21, 2012

Last Public Appearance of Hitler

Hitler on April 20, 1945
In today's modern culture, yesterday, 4/20, is an event to celebrate nonconformism and anti-establishment sentiment regarding a certain 'medicinal' plant. However, April 20 also marks the birthday of history's baddest bad guy, Adolf Hitler.

In this photograph, Hitler marks his 56th birthday in 1945. He greets the young defenders of the Reich, and if they look a little young to be soldiers you're right. By April 1945, Berlin was surrounded by Soviet soldiers, the German army has been crushed, and units were being filled with old men and Hitler Youth. The end was near.

It would turn out that this photo was the last public appearance of Hitler outside his bunker in the Chancellery gardens. ten days later, he and his bride Eva Braun would commit suicide, and 8 days after that, Germany would officially and unconditionally surrender. Until next time, take care, and thanks for reading.