| Führer und Reichskanzler (“Leader and Reichchancellor”) Adolf Hitler (April 20, 1889 – April 30, 1945) with his top subordinates at Tag der Arbeit in Berlin. Left to Right: Hitler; Oberbefehlshaber der Luftwaffe (“Supreme Commander of the Air Force”) Reichsmarschall Hermann Goering (January 12, 1893 – October 15, 1946); Reichsminister für Volksaufklärung und Propaganda (“Reich Minister for Public Enlightenment and Propaganda) Joseph Goebbels (October 29, 1897 – May 1, 1945); Stellvertreter des Führers (“Deputy Führer”) Rudolf Heß April 26, 1894 – August 17, 1987); Hitler made a speech to 1 1/2 1,000,000 Nazi Germans at Tempelhof Aerodrome. The Associated Press reported on May 2, 1934: “Two Million Hear Hitler Ask Peace Gathering Called Largest in History of World.” “Nazi Leader Denounces War Amid Mighty Thunder of Workers’ Applause.” ” Berlin, May 1 (Associated Press) – To two million [sic] workers who had stood for hours in the blistering sun of Tempelhof airdrome, Chancellor Hitler proclaimed today that Germany’s intentions are peaceful and that the nazi way is the only true one for Germany, At the same moment, forty million workers were standing at attention in other places throughout the Reich, listening to the Chancellor’s fifty-minute Labor day address, the climax of celebrations honoring the workingman.” “Hitler reiterated the government’s determination to master unemployment as the first of its gigantic tasks. The first burst of applause came when he asserted that ‘the German people want no war because they do not need additional territory; they became great on a small area because of their special talents and industry; they need’ no tribute or contribution.’” “His references to the dignity of labor, to the futility of opposition criticism, and to the necessity of wiping out class distinctions were roundly cheered.” “‘We want to remake the entire German individual,’ Hitler declared. ‘Our compulsory labor service is intended to take the conceit out of people and make all feel themselves as members of one commonwealth. To be a critic is no essential calling.’” “The gathering was called the largest meeting of individuals ever assembled in one place. Beginning, early this morning the formations of workers marched from all parts of this large capital to the field where in imperial days the kaiser’s troops paraded. Many of the workers were in brown uniforms.” “A vast system of loudspeakers enabled every participant to hear Hitler With customary efficiency the Nazis had seen to it that there were no shirkers – every worker was given a control card to register his presence or risk being fired from the labor front.” “The will of the German peopie has proved stronger than the distress which beset them in post-war days, the chancellor asserted. ‘The collapse after the war was not the worst,’ he maintained. ‘The continuing decay swallowed up all the hopes of our nation and seemed to justify the predictions of false prophets that Germany’s fate was unalterable.’” “‘Germany is willing to sacrifice just as much as other nations will. Germany knows no revenge. We extend our hand to any nation willing to cooperate with us.’” | |
| Image Filename | wwii0801.jpg |
| Image Size | 643.12 KB |
| Image Dimensions | 2940 x 1848 |
| Photographer | |
| Photographer Title | |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | May 1, 1934 |
| Location | Flughafen Berlin-Tempelhof |
| City | Berlin |
| State or Province | Berlin |
| Country | Germany |
| Archive | National Archives and Records Administration |
| Record Number | NLR-PHOCO-A-71126 |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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