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The Heldengedenktag ("Heroes' Memorial Day") was a holiday in Nazi Germany in commemoration of the fallen soldiers of World War I. It was introduced on 27 February 1934 to replace the Volkstrauertag . [1]
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In the process, the Nazis completely changed the character of the holiday: the emphasis shifted to hero worship rather than remembering the dead.
Joseph Goebbels, as Propaganda Minister, issued guidelines on content and implementation, instructing that flags no longer be flown at half-mast. The 1939 order prohibited entertainment events on this day unless they had "soldierly and heroic character", at first until 6PM (since 1943 until midnight). [1]
The last Heldengedenktag was celebrated in 1945.
