Adolf Hitler and Francisco Franco meet at Hendaye to discuss the possibility of Spain entering the Second World War.

Adolf Hitler

Dictator of Germany from 1933 to 1945

Adolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician who was the dictator of Germany during the Nazi period from 1933 until his suicide in 1945. He rose to power as the leader of the Nazi Party, becoming the chancellor in 1933 and then taking the title of Führer und Reichskanzler…

Francisco Franco

Leader of Spain from 1939 to 1975

Francisco Franco Bahamonde was a Spanish general and dictator who led the Nationalist forces in overthrowing the Second Spanish Republic during the Spanish Civil War and thereafter ruled over Spain from 1939 to 1975, assuming the title Caudillo. This period in Spanish history,…

Meeting at Hendaye

1940 meeting between German leader Adolf Hitler and Spanish dictator Francisco Franco

The Meeting of Hendaye, or Interview of Hendaye, took place between Francisco Franco and Adolf Hitler on 23 October 1940 at the railway station in Hendaye, France, near the Spanish–French border. The meeting was also attended by the respective foreign ministers, Ramón Serrano…

Spain during World War II

During World War II, the Spanish State under Francisco Franco espoused neutrality as its official wartime policy. This neutrality wavered at times, and "strict neutrality" gave way to "non-belligerence" after the Fall of France in June 1940. In fact, Franco seriously…

October 23

Day of the year

October 23 is the 296th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 69 days remain until the end of the year.