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20 November 2015 16:16

Today in history: Nuremberg trials commence back in 1945

It's been 70 years to the day since the mass tribunal of Nazi officials, members, and collaborators began.

Brilio.net/en - To kick off the trials, 24 high ranking Nazi officals were tried in Nuremberg, Germany in 1945 for the atrocities during World War II.

The Nuremberg Trials were organized and carried out by an international committee with representatives from the United States, the Soviet Union, France, and Great Britain. Lord Justice Geoffrey Lawrence of Britain presided as the leader of the hearings that lasted 10 months with 216 court sessions.

Of all the convictions, notable Nazi officials such as Jachim von Ribbentrop (Nazi minister of foreign affairs), Hermann Goering (head of the Gestapo and Luftwaffe), Alfred Jodl (head of German armed forces staff), and Wilhelm Frick (minister of interior) were all sentenced to death by hanging.

On 16 October 1946, 10 of the Nazi architects were hanged. Hermann Goering committed suicide by swallowing poison on the eve of his execution.

Trials of lesser known Axis war criminals continued on until the 1950s and resulted in the conviction of around 5025 people and the execution of 806.

Via History.com

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