Adolf Hitler

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Adolf Hitler

Role / Field:

Austrian-born German politician who became dictator of Germany during the Nazi era.

Born:

1889-04-20

Died:

1945-04-30

Century / Era:

1889s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Adolf Hitler (20 April 1889 – 30 April 1945) was an Austrian-born German politician who was dictator of Germany in the Nazi era from 1933 until his suicide in 1945. He rose to power as the leader of the Nazi Party, becoming the chancellor of Germany in 1933 and then taking the title of Führer und Reichskanzler in 1934. Germany's invasion of Poland on 1 September 1939 under his leadership marked the outbreak of the Second World War. Throughout the ensuing conflict, Hitler was closely involved in the direction of German military operations and was central to the perpetration of the genocide of about six million Jews in the Holocaust as well as the deaths of millions of other victims. Hitler was born in Braunau am Inn in Austria-Hungary and moved to Germany in 1913.

Career & Major Achievements

He was decorated during his service in the German Army in the First World War, receiving the Iron Cross. In 1919, he joined the German Workers' Party (DAP), the precursor of the Nazi Party, and in 1921, was appointed the leader of the Nazi Party. In 1923, he attempted to seize governmental power in a failed coup in Munich and was sentenced to five years in prison, serving just over a year. While there, he dictated the first volume of his autobiography and political manifesto Mein Kampf ('my struggle'). After his early release in 1924, he gained popular support by attacking the Treaty of Versailles as well as promoting pan-Germanism, antisemitism, and anti-communism with charismatic oratory and Nazi propaganda.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

He frequently denounced communism as being part of an international Jewish conspiracy. Following elections to the Reichstag in November 1932, the Nazi Party held the most seats in the Reichstag ('parliament'), but not a majority. Subsequently, former chancellor Franz von Papen and other conservative politicians convinced Reichspräsident ('president') Paul von Hindenburg to appoint Hitler as chancellor on 30 January 1933. Shortly thereafter, on 23 March, the Reichstag passed the Enabling Act of 1933, which ultimately began the Weimar Republic's transformation into Nazi Germany. Upon Hindenburg's death on 2 August 1934, Hitler replaced him as head of state and thereafter, Germany became a totalitarian dictatorship.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1889 (1889-04-20): Birth of Adolf Hitler — Austrian-born German politician who became dictator of Germany during the Nazi era.
2. 1913: 1913 Milestone — Hitler was born in Braunau am Inn in Austria-Hungary and moved to Germany in 1913.
3. 1919: 1919 Milestone — In 1919, he joined the German Workers' Party (DAP), the precursor of the Nazi Party, and in 1921, was appointed the leader of the Nazi Party.
4. 1923: 1923 Milestone — In 1923, he attempted to seize governmental power in a failed coup in Munich and was sentenced to five years in prison, serving just over a year.
5. 1924: 1924 Milestone — After his early release in 1924, he gained popular support by attacking the Treaty of Versailles as well as promoting pan-Germanism, antisemitism, and anti-communism with charismatic oratory and Nazi propaganda.
6. 1932: 1932 Milestone — Following elections to the Reichstag in November 1932, the Nazi Party held the most seats in the Reichstag ('parliament'), but not a majority.
7. 1933: 1933 Milestone — He rose to power as the leader of the Nazi Party, becoming the chancellor of Germany in 1933 and then taking the title of Führer und Reichskanzler in 1934.
8. 1934: 1934 Milestone — Upon Hindenburg's death on 2 August 1934, Hitler replaced him as head of state and thereafter, Germany became a totalitarian dictatorship.
9. 1939: 1939 Milestone — Germany's invasion of Poland on 1 September 1939 under his leadership marked the outbreak of the Second World War.
10. 1945 (1945-04-30): Passing & Historical Legacy — Adolf Hitler passed away on 1945-04-30, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Adolf Hitler

True or False: “The DNA analysis performed in 2025 confirmed that Adolf Hitler had Jewish ancestry through his father.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The DNA analysis conducted by Turi King in 2025 confirmed that Hitler did not have Jewish ancestry through his father.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• A. Philip Randolph — Contemporary (Born in 1889) (1889): Pioneer labor unionist and civil rights activist who fought for racial equality.
• Abel Gance — Contemporary (Born in 1889) (1889): French cinematic pioneer, celebrated for his mastery of montage and epic filmmaking.
• Adolphe Pégoud — Contemporary (Born in 1889) (1889): Pioneering French aviator and the first recorded fighter ace of World War I.
• Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi — Contemporary (Born in 1945) (1945): Yemeni politician who served as the second President of Yemen from 2012 to 2022.
• Al Stewart — Contemporary (Born in 1945) (1945): Scottish folk-rock musician known for blending historical tales with intimate songwriting.
• Alan Mulally — Contemporary (Born in 1945) (1945): Aerospace executive credited with revitalizing Boeing and saving Ford Motor Company.
• 3rd Dalai Lama — Shared historical date (04-20 · Died) (1588): Founding figure of the Dalai Lama lineage, pivotal to Gelug school's rise in Tibet.
• Aloysius Bertrand — Shared historical date (04-20 · Born) (1807): French Romantic poet, pioneer of prose poetry, and Symbolist forerunner.
• A. E. Housman — Shared historical date (04-30 · Died) (1936): English classicist and poet, renowned for his scholarship and melancholic verse.
• Agnes Moorehead — Shared historical date (04-30 · Died) (1974): Iconic American actress celebrated for stage, film, and television roles.
• 1889 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1889
• April 20 (04-20) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on April 20
• 1945 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1945
• April 30 (04-30) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on April 30

Frequently Asked Questions about Adolf Hitler