Why was Adolf Hitler significant? Hitler was of great historical importance—a term that does not imply a positive judgment—because his actions changed the course of the world. He was responsible for starting World War II, which resulted in the deaths of more than 50 million people.

Upon achieving power, Hitler smashed the nation’s democratic institutions and transformed Germany into a war state intent on conquering Europe for the benefit of the so-called Aryan race. His invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939, triggered the European phase of World War II.

Numerous works in popular music and literature feature Adolf Hitler prominently.

• In Germany, before he came to power, Hitler was often portrayed satirically in newspaper cartoons and propaganda by political enemies.
• Outside Germany Hitler’s persona was often parodied.

Early Life After his father, Alois, retired as a state customs official, young Adolf spent most of his childhood in Linz, the capital of Upper Austria. Not wanting to follow in his father’s footsteps as a civil servant, he began struggling in secondary school and eventually dropped out.

There are no clear figures available on how many Pearl Harbor survivors remain alive, but the numbers in the U.S. were down to under 2,500 a few years ago. According to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs statistics, only 325,574 of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II were alive in 2020.

A total of 1,177 of their shipmates died on the Arizona, with more than 900 still entombed on the sunken battleship.

Albert Woolson