Holocaust Timeline

Anti-Jewish Boycott

Apr 1, 1933

Less than 3 months after the Nazi party takes power, the Nazi leadership stages an economic boycott on Jewish-owned businesses. It was presented to the German people as both a reprisal and an act of revenge for the bad international press against Germany since Hitler became the chancellor in January.

Hitler Abolished the Office President

Jul 19, 1934

Hitler abolished the office of President and declared himself Führer of the German Reich and People, in addition to his position as Chancellor. Hitler became the absolute dictator of Germany, with no legal limits to his authority.

Nuremburg Race Laws

Aug 15, 1935

The Nuremberg Race Laws institutionalized many of the racial theories under Nazi ideology and provided the legal framework for the systematic persecution of the Jewish in Germany. The Laws did not identify a “Jew” as someone with particular religious convictions but as someone with Jewish grandparents.

Buchenwald Concentration Camps Open

Jul 15, 1937

Buchenwald was one of the largest concentration camps established within German borders. Most of the early inmates at Buchenwald were political prisoners. However, in 1938, German police sent almost 10,000 Jews to Buchenwald where the camp authorities subjected them to extraordinarily cruel treatment and many died.

Kristallnacht

Nov 9, 1938

Members of the Nazi Party and other Nazi formations burn synagogues, loot Jewish homes and businesses, and kill at least 91 Jews.

Reichstag Speech

Jan 30, 1939

Hitler declares that the outbreak of war would mean the end of European Jewry.

Operation Barbarossa

Jun 22, 1941

Germany launches its largest military operation of the war.

Attempt to Assassinate Hitler

Jul 20, 1944

German military officers attempt to assassinate Adolf Hitler in his East Prussian headquarters at Rastenburg.