Profession: Communist Executed for the Reichstag Fire
Biography: Marinus van der Lubbe was a Dutch communist, best known for being charged with setting fire to the German Reichstag in 1933. He is a controversial figure, with some believing that he was innocent, while others believe he was a scapegoat of the Nazi regime.
During van der Lubbe's teenage years, he developed an affinity for politics, and joined the Communist Party of Holland at the age of 16. He was a member of the council communist faction of the party, and believed that revolution should be led by workers and not the party.
In 1933, van der Lubbe was charged with setting fire to the German Reichstag, an act which is viewed by many as the beginning of the Nazi regime. Despite his insistence on his innocence, he was found guilty and was executed in 1934.
Born: January 13, 1909
Birthplace: Leiden, South Holland, Netherlands
Generation: Greatest Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Monkey
Star Sign: Capricorn
Died: January 10, 1934 (aged 24)
Cause of Death: Executed by guillotine in a Leipzig prison yard by the Nazis
Articles and Photos
Reichstag Fire
The Reichstag building in Berlin, housing the German Parliament, on fire during the night of February 27, 1933.
February 27, 1933
Fire Sparks Hitler’s Rise To Absolute Power
The Reichstag building, home of the German parliament in Berlin, went up in flames on this day giving Adolf Hitler propaganda in his quest for dictatorship.
February 27, 1933
Historical Events
- 1933-02-03 Dutch Communist Marinus van der Lubbe departs for Berlin (later arrested, convicted and executed for supposedly setting fire to the German Reichstag)
- 1933-02-05 Marinus van der Lubbe passes Dutch-German border, will later set fire to the German Reichstag
- 1933-02-26 Dutch Communist Marinus van der Lubbe kept overnight in a police cell
- 1933-02-27 Nazi Germany's parliament building, the Reichstag, is destroyed by fire; possibly set by the Nazis, who blame and execute Dutch Communist Marinus van der Lubbe
- 1933-07-24 German judge Vogt signs deed of accusation against Marinus van der Lubbe for setting the Reichstag fire
- 1933-12-23 Dutch communist Marinus van der Lubbe sentenced to death for setting the German Reichstag on fire
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