On this day

August 2, 1934

Revisit the news, notable people, and historical moments connected to this date.

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Notable Births

Valery Bykovsky

1934Valery Bykovsky, Russian general and cosmonaut (died 2019)[†]

Valery Fyodorovich Bykovsky was a Soviet cosmonaut who flew on three space flights: Vostok 5, Soyuz 22, and Soyuz 31. He was also backup for Vostok 3 and Soyuz 37.

Notable Deaths

Paul von Hindenburg

1934Paul von Hindenburg, German field marshal and politician, 2nd president of Germany (born 1847)[†]

Paul Ludwig Hans Anton von Beneckendorff und von Hindenburg was a German military officer and statesman who led the Imperial German Army during World War I and later became President of Germany from 1925 until his death in 1934. He played a key role in the Nazi seizure of power in 1933 through his appointment of Adolf Hitler as Chancellor of Germany.

Historical Events

Chancellor of Germany

1934Reichskanzler Adolf Hitler becomes Führer of Germany following the death of President Paul von Hindenburg.[†]

The chancellor of Germany, officially the federal chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, is the head of the federal government of Germany. The chancellor is the chief executive of the Federal Cabinet and heads the executive branch. The chancellor is elected by the Bundestag on the proposal of the federal president and without debate. During a state of defence declared by the Bundestag the chancellor also assumes the position of commander-in-chief of the Bundeswehr.