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Today in History: Referendum endorses Hitler's chancellor-president merger decision

8/19/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On 19 August 1934, Nazi Germany held a referendum to approve merging the president and chancellor offices, cementing Adolf Hitler’s takeover as Führer und Reichskanzler. Seventeen days after President Hindenburg’s death, the vote—conducted amid intimidation and extensive fraud—gave Hitler unchecked supreme authority.

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Story summary

On 19 August 1934, Nazi Germany held a referendum to approve merging the president and chancellor offices, cementing Adolf Hitler’s takeover as Führer und Reichskanzler. Seventeen days after President Hindenburg’s death, the vote—conducted amid intimidation and extensive fraud—gave Hitler unchecked supreme authority.