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1932   (THURSDAY) 

GERMANY: President Paul von Hindenburg invites Kurt von Schleicher to become chancellor and invites Gregor Strasser to be his deputy. Adolf Hitler and Hermann Göring challenge the move claiming it is an attempt to create a split in the National Socialist German Workers Party (NSDAP). Strasser is one of the most important figures in the Sturm Abteilung (SA) and he developed a large following and became leader of the revolutionary wing of the NSDAP. In order to maintain party unity Strasser resigns all party positions and found work in a large chemical firm. On 30 June 1934 Strasser, is arrested by the Gestapo as part of the Nacht der langen Messer (Night of the Long Knives) operation and is taken to Gestapo Headquarters where he is shot in the back of the head.

1934   (SATURDAY)

 SAAR: The League of Nations Council asks the U.K., Italy, The Netherlands, and Sweden to police the Saar plebiscite "in view of the discussion which took place at its meeting of 5 December with reference to international action for the maintenance of order in the Saar territory during the plebiscite . . ."

1938   (THURSDAY) 

GERMANY: All Jews are banned from conducting research at German universities and Jewish students can no longer attend German Universities.

     Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler, head of the Schutzstaffel (SS), signs an order regarding the need to regulate the "Gypsy question" in Germany.

 UNITED STATES: The temperature at La Mesa, California, soars to 108 degrees F (42 degrees C) to set a U.S. record for the month of December.

 

December 8th, 1939 (FRIDAY)

UNITED KINGDOM: RAF Coastal Command: Two U-boats are claimed sunk. Subsequent German records show no such losses.

GERMANY: Alfred Rosenberg, responsible for the spiritual and philosophical education of the NSDAP, introduces Chancellor Adolf Hitler to Vidkun Quisling, head of the Norwegian National Unity Party. Hitler is not impressed.

ITALY: Rome: The Fascist Grand Council confirms the Axis alliance, but votes to remain out of the conflict.

U.S.A.: Washington: The USA protests at the British blockade of Germany, saying it interferes with the right of neutral nations to trade freely.

The USAAF receives its first Brewster F2A-1 "Buffalo" fighter. (Craig Paffhausen)

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