1938: Krystallnacht/Austria Annexed: Holocaust Monument

Holocaust Monument.

Opposition to Hitler in the German foreign office and in the military were removed during January and February thus allowing the implementation of his policies; the annexation of Austria in March, and of the Sudetenland in October.

In June, the SS ordered nationwide detention of able-bodied male "anti-socials" and criminals into concentration camps; 1,500 Jews were included. Detainees became forced labor for projects vital to the SS and Nazi leadership.

Anti-semitic activity increased; official status of Jewish organizations was rescinded. Property registration was required. Jewish physicians were restricted to treating only Jewish patients. Identification cards were issued. The name "Sarah" was mandatorily added to all Jewish female names; "Israel" to all males. Jewish passports were stamped with a "J".

The Evian conference sponsored by 32 nations failed to solve problems of Jewish refugees seeking asylum. Approximately 18,000 stateless Jews were expelled from Germany to Poland on October 27-28. In retaliation for his family's expulsion, Hershel Grynszpan shot Ernst vom Rath, third secretary of the German embassy in Paris.

Vom Rath's death was used to justify Krystallnacht riots in Germany and Austria on November 9-10. Businesses, homes and synagogues were burned. Physical attacks began against Jews. At least 30,000 German Jewish males were sent to concentration camps, and released upon condition of emigration. . This historical marker was erected in 1992 by Los Angeles Museum of The Holocaust; American Congress of Jews from Poland; and Survivors of Concentration Camps.. It is in Fairfax in Los Angeles in Los Angeles County California