Why It Still Matters

Roughly 40–45 million people died in Europe during WWII, including 6 million Jews murdered in the Holocaust and millions more civilians killed by bombings, famine, and mass executions.

That’s about the population of Canada or California today.

The war in Europe lasted from September 1939 to May 8, 1945, when Nazi Germany surrendered. But how did Hitler rise so fast?

By 1933, Germany was in crisis:

• 30% unemployment

• Political instability

• Fear of communism

• Resentment over the Treaty of Versailles

On January 30, 1933, Hitler was appointed Chancellor.
Less than a month later, a fire at the Reichstag let him suspend civil liberties.

By March, the Enabling Act gave him power to rule without parliament.

Opposition was crushed. The press silenced. The military swore loyalty to him—not Germany.

In less than one year, by the end of 1934, Hitler had total control and it began with a legal appointment and a fire.

VE Day reminds us not just of what was lost—but what was defended:
Freedom. Dignity. The right to speak out.