Himmler, Heinrich (1900-1945), was one of the most powerful leaders of Nazi Germany. As the head of the German police, including the Gestapo, Himmler ordered the deaths of millions of people. These killings began with the “blood purge” of 1934 and ended with systematic killings in concentration camps that were operated by Himmler’s Schutzstaffel troops, also referred to as the SS.
Himmler was born on Oct. 7, 1900, in Munich. He was a follower of Adolf Hitler from the days of Hitler’s unsuccessful attempt to gain power in 1923. Himmler became chief of police for all Germany in 1936, minister of the interior in 1943, and minister of home defense in 1944. He committed suicide on May 23, 1945, after Allied troops captured him.
