| Reichskanzler Adolf Hitler (April 20, 1889 – April 30, 1945) addresses 1,000,000 Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei or NSDAP (“National Socialist German Workers’ Party”) Nazi party members at the Tempelhofer Feld on Nationalen Arbeid (literally “National Work” but known internationally as May Day). Hitler used a specially built speakers’ podium, surrounded by black-clad Schutzstaffel (SS) guards. A raised camera platform was the only thing on the Führer’s level. Hakenkreuz (Swastika) flags were interspersed among the 1,000,000 participants in the rally. Huge Hakenkreuz tapestries and a German Imperial flag provided a backdrop to the speakers’ podium. SS and Heer officers packed the stands behind Hitler as he spoke. The day began with a celebration at the Lustgarten Park in central Berlin. Hitler arrived to each event in his black Mercedes. Hitler and Propaganda Minister Josef Goebbels (October 29, 1897 – May 1, 1945) spoke to the crowd. Hitler Youth climbed up window bars to see the festivities and catch a glimpse of Hitler and other party dignitaries. This huge rally, coming just 8 months after the death of Reichspräsident Paul von Hindenburg (October 2, 1847 – August 2, 1934) was designed to highlight national unity for Hitler’s dictatorship, as he consolidated all powers into 1 office. The Führer announced Germany’s rearmament and the resumption of conscription; most Germans glowed with pride to hear the news of Germany’s reemergence as a military power. The “shame of Versailles” would finally be lifted. Hitler said: “And that, I believe, is something we can well impart to other peoples on this first of May: you need not fear that we will place demands on you. We are proud enough to confess that the utmost-something you cannot give us-is something we have ourselves: our Volk…Thus I ask of you: renew on this day of the greatest and most glorious demonstration in the world your vow to your Volk, to our community and to our National Socialist State. My will-and this must be the vow of each and every one of us-is your faith! To me-as to you-my faith is everything I have in this world! But the greatest thing God has given me in this world is my Volk! In it rests my faith. It I serve with my will, and to it I give my life! May this be our mutual sacred vow on the day of German labor, which so rightfully is the day of the German nation! To our working German Volk: Sieg Heil, Sieg Heil, Sieg Heil!” Not all Germans were enthusiastic about Hitler’s speech. Lutheran pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer (February 4, 1906 – April 9, 1945) openly regretted the lack of exemptions for conscientious objectors; a heated debate ensued among his students at an underground seminary he ran in Finkenwalde for training Confessing Church pastors. The Social Democratic Party of Germany in exile (Sopade) reported that on the night of May 1, “large stones were thrown from a car at the windows of a shop belonging to the Jew Pappenheim in Weisenburgplatz [Munich]. The rocks smashed the window panes. The following day, a large crowd gathered outside the store and openly opposed these excesses. 1 heard comments such as ‘incredible goings-on,’ ‘check,’ ‘vandalism,’ etc. Thus, it was clear that the population had no sympathy with the tricks of the Nazis. In the end, the police had to disperse the crowd which was getting bigger and bigger. It was clear to the observer that this incident was not the result of mass discontent, but an act planned by a few criminals. National Socialists also appeared in front of the Jew Schwarz’s shop and warned customers not to enter the shop. But it was noticeable that no 1 let themselves be put off; in fact, 1 could see that some customers demonstratively carried the goods they had bought with hardly any wrappings. | |
| Image Filename | wwii1761.jpg |
| Image Size | 147.76 KB |
| Image Dimensions | 1024 x 755 |
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| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | May 1, 1935 |
| Location | Flughafen Berlin-Tempelhof |
| City | Berlin |
| State or Province | Berlin |
| Country | Germany |
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| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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