Nuremberg War Crimes Trials open

On 20 November 1945 the first trial against the principal war criminals of the „Third Reich“ begins at the International Military Court in Nuremberg. The indictment includes war crimes, „crimes against humanity“ and „crimes against peace“. Not all major Nazis could be brought before the Allies: Adolf Hitler, Joseph Goebbels and Heinrich Himmler committed suicide. Martin Bormann, last Reich leader of the NSDAP, who is considered missing, is tried in absentia.

© Bayerisches Staatsministerium der Justiz The principal war criminals during the Nuremberg Trials

Sitting in the dock are, among others, „Reich Marshal“ Hermann Göring, Hitler’s former deputy Rudolf Hess, Armaments Minister Albert Speer, former Reich Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop, Hitler’s „chief ideologue“ Alfred Rosenberg and „Reich Youth Leader“ Baldur von Schirach. German radio broadcasters send out daily reports from Nuremberg. The newspapers publish witness statements and commentaries. The trial, which lasts over a year, reveals for the first time the extent of the National Socialist reign of terror.

On 1 October 1946 twelve of the 24 accused are condemned to death. Göring escapes the hangman by committing suicide. Seven of the accused receive sentences of many years or life sentences. In only three cases were defendants acquitted.