Nurmeberg Trial Anniversary, Quotes, List, Video

by Sudha Krishna | November 19, 2009 at 07:59 pm

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The Nuremberg Trials started 64 years ago on November 20th. The Nuremberg trials which ushered in the terms "Crimes Against Humanity," prosecuted Nazi war criminals. The trials ran for four years from 1945-49.

There was some disagreement among the Allies on exactly how the defeated Nazi leadership were going to be handled Apparently, some like Treasury Secretary Henry Morgenthau favored execution.

Ultimately, the Allies came to an agreement about holding trials before conducting executions. Nuremberg was chosen as it was one of the few places with intact Court Buildings and facilities left in Germany.

On the opening day of the trial, the twenty-one indicted war trial defendants took their seats in the dock at the rear of the sage-green draped and dark paneled room. Behind them stood six American sentries with their backs against the wall. At 10 a.m., the marshal shouted, "Attention! All rise. The tribunal will now enter." The judges from the four countries walked through a door and took their seats at the bench. Sir Geoffrey Lawrence rapped his gavel. "This trial, which is now to begin," said Lawrence, "is unique in the annals of jurisprudence."

Famous Quotes from Nuremberg Trial

A victor's justice" - Goering's view of the proceedings

"So grotesque and preposterous are the principle characters in this galaxy of clowns and crooks that none but a thrice double ass could have taken them for rulers." Officer in the Allied Control Commission.

"Why don't you just shoot us?" Unknown Nazi war criminal

"Stand up Funk! Be a man, Funk." Interrogation of Walther Funk, Nazi economist by Colonel Andrus.

"It was the virtue of the Nuremberg trial that it was conceived in hatred of war, and nurtured by those starved of peace. Of course, the trial was botched and imperfect...it had to deal with new crimes for which there was no provision in national law or international law." Rebecca West.

"Death, death. Now I won't be able to write my beautiful memoirs." Ribbentrop

"Death by hanging. That, I thought, I would be spared." Keitel

Here is the list of names of the 21 Nazi accused and their fate