1st September 1939
Hitler's Speech, Berlin

Postcard depicting Adolf Hitler at the podium addressing the Reichstag. The speech served as public declaration of war against Poland and thus of the commencement of World War II (Germany did not submit a formal declaration of war to Poland). To the reverse a violet cachet states, 'Der Weltgeschichtliche Tag/ 1. September 1939/ Danzig kehrt heim'. (World History day, 1st September 1939, Danzig returns home'). The 12 Pf postage stamp (Mi.715) was issued on 18th September 1939 to commemorate the reintegration of Danzig into the German Reich. Ref: 19.09.1939