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The automobile engineer and designer Ferdinand Porsche (in suit) presents Hitler with a convertible Volkswagen for Hitler's 50th birthday, Berlin, Germany, April 20, 1939. "Hitler loved to have his driver tear along at 80 mph," LIFE magazine once noted, "until 1939 when he turned superstitious about accidents and made 35 mph the limit."![Fox_Hitler_50_1]()
The Ost-West-Achse (East-West Axis) in Berlin, site of a massive rally and parade in celebration of Adolf Hitler's 50th birthday, April 20, 1939.![Fox_Hitler_50_2]()
German troops goose-step past the reviewing stand during a massive rally and military parade in celebration of Adolf Hitler's 50th birthday in Berlin, April 20, 1939. (Hitler can be seen in center, reviewing troops.)![Fox_Hitler_50_3]()
Banners hang from buildings in honor of Adolf Hitler's 50th birthday, Berlin, April 20, 1939. The words on the banner, Wir danken dir ("We thank you"), reference a famous Bach cantata, Wir danken dir, Gott, wir danken dir ("We thank you, God, we thank you"), but are obviously addressed to Hitler.![Fox_Hitler_50_5]()
Solid gold model of the Haus der Deutschen Kunst (a celebrated German museum), a gift from Luftwaffe commander and future suicide at the Nuremberg war crimes trials Hermann Goering to Adolf Hitler on Hitler's 50th birthday, April 20, 1939.Hitler at 50: Rare color photos of a despot’s birthday
In grudging acknowledgment of a copious photographer, Life.com presents a series of rare color pictures from the over-the-top celebrations in Berlin that marked Hitler’s 50th birthday April 20, 1939 -- 73 years ago today. To see some of the ludicrously gaudy gifts bestowed on the German leader who convulsed a country of millions, see the full gallery at Life.com.
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- Hitler at 50: Rare color photos of a despot’s birthday
