Origins & Early Life

Berndt Andreas Baader (6 May 1943 – 18 October 1977) was a West German communist and leader of the far-left terrorist organization Red Army Faction (RAF), also commonly known as the Baader-Meinhof Group. Andreas Baader was born in Munich on 6 May 1943. He was the only child of historian and archivist Berndt Phillipp Baader and Anneliese Hermine "Nina" (Kröcher). Andreas was raised by his mother, aunt, and grandmother.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Phillipp Baader served in the Wehrmacht, was captured on the Russian Front in 1945, and never returned. Baader was a high school dropout and a bohemian before his involvement in the Red Army Faction. He was one of the few members of the RAF who did not attend university. At the age of 20, Baader moved from Munich to West Berlin, allegedly to do an artistic education. He worked as a construction worker and unsuccessfully as a tabloid journalist.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Baader took part in the Schwabing riots in 1962. According to his mother, he is said to have drawn the conclusion from the actions of the police that "something was wrong" in the state. According to journalist Butz Peters, the events of the Munich city summer during 1962 were "a shocking experience for the nineteen-year...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Alvy Ray Smith — Contemporary (Born in 1943) (1943): Pioneering computer scientist and co-founder of Pixar Animation Studios.
• Antonio Inoki — Contemporary (Born in 1943) (1943): Pioneering Japanese wrestler, martial artist, and political figure.
• Arthur Ashe — Contemporary (Born in 1943) (1943): Pioneering American tennis star, celebrated for his skill and activism.
• A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada — Contemporary (Died in 1977) (1977): Pioneering global spread of Krishna consciousness teachings and the Hare Krishna mantra.
• Aleksandr Vasilevsky — Contemporary (Died in 1977) (1977): A pivotal Soviet general who commanded forces during WWII and served as Minister of Defense.
• Alfred Lunt — Contemporary (Died in 1977) (1977): Esteemed American actor, celebrated for his stage partnership with Lynn Fontanne.
• Alexander Suvorov — Shared historical date (05-06 · Died) (1800): Brilliant Russian general whose victories defined military prowess in the late 18th century.
• Alexander von Humboldt — Shared historical date (05-06 · Died) (1859): German polymath, geographer, and naturalist who pioneered biogeography and modern science.
• Canaletto — Shared historical date (10-18 · Born) (1697): Master Vedutista: Celebrated painter of Venetian and Roman cityscapes.
• Charles Babbage — Shared historical date (10-18 · Died) (1871): Pioneering polymath credited with originating the concept of the digital programmable computer.
• 1943 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1943
• May 6 (05-06) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on May 6
• 1977 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1977
• October 18 (10-18) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on October 18