ADOLF HITLER History and Photos

"If freedom is short of weapons, we must compensate with willpower."
-- Adolf Hitler, Landsberg, 5 November 1925

Adolf Hitler was born on April 20th 1889 in Braunau-am-Inn, Austria. The town is near to the Austro-German border, and his father, Alois, worked as a customs officer on the border crossing. His mother, Klara, had previously given birth to two other children by Alois, (Gustav and Ida) but they both died in their infancy. Adolf attended school from the age of six and the family lived in various villages around the town of Linz, east of Braunau. By this time Adolf had a younger brother, Edmund, but he only lived until the age of six. In 1896, Klara gave birth to Adolf 's sister, Paula, who survived to outlive him.

Hitler grew up in Austria. He enjoyed drawing but failed twice to pass the exam at the academy of arts. He moved to Munich and volunteered for the 16th Bavarian Reserve Infantry Regiment in World War I. During the war, he was wounded and gassed. He was also awarded for bravery in action, credit history.

After the war, he joined the Nazi Party (National Socialist German Worker’s Party). He was soon in charge of the party’s propaganda and eventually became its chairman. For his unsuccessful Beer-Hall Putsch, in which National Socialists attempted to seize power, Hitler was arrested and imprisoned for nine months.

He wrote his autobiography Mein Kampf (My Struggle) while in prison. Later, Hitler unsuccessfully challenged Paul von Hindenburg in the chancellor election.

After Hindenburg's death, Hitler became Führer and Reichskanzler (chancellor). He immediately established an absolute dictatorship. While preparing for war, he effectively invaded and annexed as much European territory as possible until Britain and France declared war.

As World War II was running its course, desperation grew among the Germans. Several attempts on Hitler’s life were plotted by fellow high ranking Nazis. Meanwhile, Soviet forces closed in on Berlin, the location of Hitler’s headquarters.

In recognition of her loyalty, Hitler married his long-time mistress Eva Braun at midnight on April 28 - 29, 1945. On April 30 they jointly committed suicide. According to Hitler’s directions, their bodies were cremated.(name history)