Jim Kershner’s This day in history

From our archives, 75 years ago

The date of Sept. 11 did not have the symbolism in 1936 it has for us today. Yet on Sept. 11, 1936, the world was facing a deeply ominous development, the rise of Nazism.

The front page story in The Spokesman-Review was about a rally in Nuremberg, Germany, attended by 43,000. Joseph Goebbels, Hitler’s propaganda minister, went on a terrifying tirade.

“Jews guilty! Jews guilty!” he screamed.

Goebbels declared that Bolshevism was an “infernal world pest” that was tied directly to Jews.

He said that Bolshevism “could be born only in the brains of Jews and he who fraternizes with Bolshevism is sure to die from it.” He also said that “every inner Bolshevist struggle is a family fight among Jews.”

Then he proceeded to characterize his boss, Hitler, as “a true knight, without fear or fault.”

In the most chilling moment of the rally, the 43,000 people in the crowd “raised their voices on high” and solemnly vowed in unison to follow Hitler “wherever you lead.”

It led, within just a few years, to World War II and the Holocaust.

Also on this date

From the Associated Press

1911: California State University, Fresno, was established as Fresno State Normal School.