Potsdam Day

Broadcasting on radio

The entire festivities were broadcast on radio. They began with religious services: Protestant members of the Reichstag, including Chairman Hermann Göring, attended services at the Church of Saint Nicholas led by Otto Dibelius, while Catholics held services at Peter and Paul Church. Adolf Hitler and Joseph Goebbels did not attend the religious services; instead they placed wreaths on the graves of Nazi 'martyrs' such as Horst Wessel. Both later took part in a state ceremony at the Garrison Church, where Reich President Paul von Hindenburg and Hitler gave speeches.

The two then shared a solemn handshake, symbolizing the 'marriage of the old grandeur and new power'. Hitler, in civilian clothes, bowed his head deeply during the handshake with Hindenburg, who wore his full military uniform. Hindenburg laid a wreath at the tomb of Frederick the Great.

Attendees

Among the attendees were Crown Prince Wilhelm, guest of honour and representative of the Hohenzollern dynasty, and his three surviving brothers Prince Eitel Friedrich and Prince Oskar, both Der Stahlhelm members, and Prince August Wilhelm, an Oberführer in the SA, the Nazi stormtroopers. Prince Adalbert was the only brother who did not attend the ceremony.

Did You Know?

• Three of Crown Prince Wilhelm's brothers attended: Prince Eitel Friedrich and Prince Oskar (both Der Stahlhelm members) and Prince August Wilhelm (an Oberführer in the SA).
• A year later, two- and five-Reichsmark coins were minted showing the church and the date '21 März 1933'.