Background: The Nazis developed a system of holidays of pseudo-religious nature. The most
solemn of these was 9 November, the anniversary of Hitler’s 1923 Beer Hall Putsch. Every year, impressive
observances were held in Munich, but also throughout the nation. The Nazis also developed art to go along
with the holiday, examples of which are shown below. The pictures are thumbnails. Clicking on them will
produce a larger version. For more information on 9 November ceremonies, see a page on
organizing them.
The source: The paintings are taken from Die Kunst im Deutschen Reich, the glossy
monthly published by the Zentralverlag der NSDAP. The issues are #5-6/1941, #11/1942 and #8-9/1942, in that
order.
Nazi Art for 9 November
In 1935, the bodies of the 16 who died in 1923 were moved to two “Honor Temples” in Munich, near the Feldherrnhalle, the place
where police had opened fire. In this painting, the party has gathered outside the
Feldherrnhalle.
An annual procession was held each year from the original beer hall to the
Feldherrnhalle. Flaming pylons each had the names of two of those who had died in service of the
Nazi Party. Their names were read over loudspeakers as the procession drew abreast.
Here Hitler gives a salute to those who had died.
This postcard commemorates the 1938 observances. The caption translates as: “And you have
won in the end,” a quotation from Hitler suggesting that the cause the participants in the Beer
Hall Putsch had died for had won. Thanks to Susan Henrick for the postcard.
Then there was this Nazi medal, given to those who had participated in the 1923 Putsch.
It was about the ultimate “status symbol” if one was a Nazi.
