| Führer Adolf Hitler (April 20, 1889 – April 30, 1945) bowing deferentially as he shakes hands with Reich President Paul von Hindenburg (October 2, 1847 – 2 August 2, 1934), who is dressed his Imperial Field Marshal uniform. They are parting after the ceremonies for the reopening of the Reichstag, known as the “Day of Potsdam.” Hermann Göring (January 12, 1893 – October 15, 1946) is behind Hitler. He would become President of the Reichstag on August 30, 1932. After the elections held on March 5, 1933, the Nazis used the opening of the newly elected Reichstag to stage a carefully orchestrated propaganda event. On the “Day of Potsdam,” they wanted to demonstrate not only the alleged unity of the nation but also the historical continuity between the 3rd Reich, Prussia, and the Kaiserreich (“German Empire”). The opening of the Reichstag had originally been scheduled for the 1st week in April, but the date was moved up to March 21, the 1st day of spring and the anniversary of the opening of the 1st Reichstag in the German Empire (March 21, 1871). Additionally, the main festivities were moved from Berlin to the Garnisonkirche (“Potsdam Garrison Church”), where Frederick II “the Great” (January 24, 1712 – August 17, 1786)and his father, Frederick William I (August 14, 1688 – May 31, 1740), the Soldatenkönig (“Soldier King”) were buried. Former Crown Prince Wilhelm (May 6, 1882 – July 20, 1951) was present as a guest of honor and representative of the Hohenzollern dynasty, and his brothers Eitel Friedrich (July 7, 1883 – December 8, 1942) and Oskar (July 27, 1888 – January 27, 1958), both members of the Stahlhelm (“Steel Helmet”) veterans’ organization, also took part in the celebrations together with a 3rd brother, August William “Auwi” (January 29, 1887 – March 25, 1949), an Oberführer in the Sturmbteilung (SA). Against a backdrop of swastika banners and Nazi regalia, Hitler delivered a speech that resonated with chilling echoes of authoritarianism and megalomania, as he outlined his vision for a “New Germany” cleansed of perceived enemies and imbued with the spirit of racial purity. The photo of Hitler bowing to Hindenburg was circulated widely in Germany, showing his deference to the President’s office. That would last only until Hindenburg’s death, when Hitler would subsume the Presidency into the Chancellory and take both titles. On that same day, members of the Nazi Party, the military, and the police held parades like those in Potsdam in other German cities. The population followed the main events in Potsdam on the radio and over public loudspeakers. The celebrations ended with torchlight processions in the evening and a performance of Richard Wagner’s opera Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg at the Berlin State Opera on Unter den Linden. After leaving Hindenburg at the “Day of Potsdam,” Hitler was in attendance at many of these rallies and events. Built by Frederick William I in the 18th century as a testament to Prussia’s martial prowess, the Garnisonkirche embodied the fusion of church and state that lay at the heart of Germany’s authoritarian traditions, providing a fitting stage for Hitler’s unholy alliance of religion and nationalism. | |
| Image Filename | wwii0507.jpg |
| Image Size | 527.98 KB |
| Image Dimensions | 3288 x 2273 |
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| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | September 8, 1934 |
| Location | |
| City | Nuremberg |
| State or Province | Bavaria |
| Country | Germany |
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| Record Number | |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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