Adolf Hitler - Interesting and Strange Facts

Adolf Hitler is one of the most well-known figures of the 20^th Century thanks to his role in initiating and developing World War 2. He was directly behind the assassination of millions of Jews, Slavs, and other civilians during the war. A lot has been written about the personal and political life of this infamous personality. However, several aspects of his life are still unknown to people.

Following are a few of the most interesting and unbelievable facts about Adolf Hitler’s life.

Not a German by Birth

Hitler was the most aggressive proponent of German nationalism. However, he wasn’t German by birth. He was born in Austria during the last decade of the 20^th Century. He moved to Germany in the early 1920s and renounced his Austrian citizenship in 1925. During his stay in Germany, he legally remained nation-less for seven years. He was given citizenship in Germany in 1932.

Long Moustaches

Hitler is commonly known for having unique toothbrush mustaches. But he had long mustaches during World War 1. He later adopted this fashion due to a mishap that almost took his life. During this war, soldiers had to use gas masks to avoid poisonous gas fired by the enemy. But Hitler failed to close the mask completely, thanks to his long mustaches. It nearly took his life. His supervisor ordered him to shave his mustaches, but he trimmed them to the size for which he is known.

Participated for Germany in WW1

Hitler was an Austrian citizen at the start of World War 1. But he opted to fight for the Bavarian army, part of the German Empire, instead of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. He later explained that his refusal to serve in the Austrian army was due to its mixed-racial presence. He was allowed to join the Bavarian army as no one raised the issue of his Austrian citizenship. He earned the Iron Cross First Cross medal for his services during WWI. He was wearing this medal when he committed suicide in 1945.

Survived Several Assassination Attempts

Hitler took his life after the defeat in WW2 in 1945. But before that, he survived more than 20 assassination attempts during his lifetime. Most of these attempts were made during World War 2.

Had a Passion for Painting

Hitler’s father wanted him to become a civil servant. But his ambition at an earlier age was to become an artist. To fulfill his objective, he left his hometown at 18 and moved to Vienna after the death of his mother. However, his paintings were rejected twice by Vienna’s Academy of the Fine Arts in 1907 and 1908. 

Hitler was fond of painting during his youth

These failures forced him to live in a homeless shelter for some time. But he managed to leave the homeless shelter after making money by selling his paintings. He continued this profession till the start of World War 1 in 1914. [1]

Healthy and Unhealthy Habits

Hitler had a few medical problems, especially colitis and insomnia, throughout his life. He was a regular user of morphine and other drugs daily on the prescription of his physician, Theodor Morell.

But otherwise, he had several healthy habits. He was a vegetarian and avoided alcohol and smoking for most of his life. Hitler was physically strong, with an ideal body weight and a healthy immune system. [2] 

Laws Against Animal Cruelty

Hitler had no mercy for certain human races and wanted their extermination. But ironically, the attitude of Hitler and his Nazi party was very humane toward animals. The Nazi party introduced several laws for the welfare of animals and the eradication of animal cruelty after they came to power in 1933. Hitler was against hunting, and his love for dogs is well known. He was accompanied by his pet dog before his suicide. [3]

1938 Time’s Man of the Year

Adolf Hitler was named “Person of the Year” in 1938 by Time Magazine. The magazine explained the reason behind this choice as Hitler was the greatest threat to the democratic world. Despite this explanation, it is known as one of the most controversial picks by Time Magazine. [4]