Vintage Photograph Shows an American Nazi Rally Inside Madison Square Garden in 1939

Feb. 20, 1939. Twenty-thousand attend a meeting of the German American Bund, which included banners such as "Stop Jewish Domination of Christian Americans."
Feb. 20, 1939. Twenty-thousand attend a meeting of the German American Bund, which included banners such as "Stop Jewish Domination of Christian Americans."
Photo: Mashable

On Feb. 20th, 1939, a Pro-Nazi Germany group here in America held a rally with 20,000 members inside Madison Square Garden. Known as the German American Bund, the group strongly supported the Nazi cause, culminating in this large rally. It did not go unnoticed by locals however, as nearly 80,000 protesters stormed Madison Square Garden to oppose the group's views.

The Bund reached the height of its prominence on February 20, 1939, when some 20,000 members held a “Pro-America Rally” in Madison Square Garden. Inside, jackbooted Nazi supporters filled the aisles while speakers ranted against President “Frank D. Rosenfeld” and his “Jew Deal.” Outside, some 80,000 anti-Nazi demonstrators furiously protested the event, clashing with police and attempting to gain entry to the arena and shut it down. The Bund was finally dissolved at the end of 1941 with the United States’ declaration of war against Nazi Germany.

Check out this article on Mashable for more info and background.

via Mashable

Matt Coneybeare

Matt Coneybeare

Editor in Chief

Matt enjoys exploring the City's with his partner and son. He is an avid marathon runner, and spends most of his time eating, running, and working on cool stuff.

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