# August Landmesser

> German shipyard worker and anti-Nazi protester (1910–1944)

**Wikidata**: [Q62936](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q62936)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/August_Landmesser)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/august-landmesser

## Summary
August Landmesser was a German shipyard worker and anti-Nazi protester best known for his silent act of defiance in 1936, when he refused to perform the Nazi salute during a public rally. His resistance, captured in a now-iconic photograph, symbolizes individual courage against totalitarianism during the German Reich era.

## Biography
- **Born**: May 24, 1910
- **Nationality**: German (German Reich, 1871–1945)
- **Occupation**: Shipyard worker (laborer)
- **Known for**: Anti-Nazi protest and refusal to salute Adolf Hitler in 1936
- **Field(s)**: Manual labor, industrial work

## Contributions
August Landmesser’s most documented contribution is his act of resistance on June 13, 1936, during the launch of the naval training vessel *Horst Wessel* in Hamburg. While surrounding workers performed the Nazi salute, Landmesser stood with his arms crossed, an act captured in a photograph that later became a symbol of dissent. His defiance, though not widely recognized during his lifetime, has since been memorialized as an example of individual opposition to Nazi ideology.

## FAQs
**What is August Landmesser best known for?**
August Landmesser is best known for refusing to perform the Nazi salute during a 1936 rally in Hamburg, an act of defiance captured in a photograph that has since become a powerful symbol of resistance against totalitarianism.

**When and where was August Landmesser born?**
He was born on May 24, 1910, in Germany during the German Reich era.

**What was August Landmesser’s occupation?**
He worked as a shipyard laborer, performing manual and industrial labor in Hamburg.

**How did August Landmesser die?**
He died on October 17, 1944, though the exact circumstances of his death are not detailed in the provided source material.

**Is there a memorial for August Landmesser?**
Yes, a *Stolperstein* (stumbling stone) memorializing him is located at Sillemstraße 8a in Hamburg-Eimsbüttel, part of a project honoring victims of Nazism.

## Why They Matter
August Landmesser’s refusal to conform to Nazi rituals in 1936 represents a rare and documented instance of individual resistance during a period of widespread compliance. His act, though small in scale, has had a lasting impact as a symbol of moral courage, inspiring discussions about dissent, civil disobedience, and the power of personal conviction in the face of oppression. The photograph of his protest has been widely reproduced, ensuring his legacy as an emblem of defiance against authoritarianism.

## Notable For
- Refusing to perform the Nazi salute in a 1936 photograph, one of the most recognizable images of anti-Nazi resistance.
- Being memorialized with a *Stolperstein* in Hamburg, honoring his opposition to the Nazi regime.
- His act of defiance occurring during the launch of the *Horst Wessel*, a high-profile Nazi propaganda event.

## Body
### Early Life and Background
August Landmesser was born on May 24, 1910, in Germany during the German Reich era (1871–1945). Little is documented about his early life, but he later worked as a shipyard laborer, a low-skilled manual worker in Hamburg’s industrial sector.

### Act of Defiance
On June 13, 1936, during the launch ceremony of the naval training vessel *Horst Wessel* in Hamburg, Landmesser was photographed standing with his arms crossed while those around him performed the Nazi salute. This moment, captured by an unknown photographer, became one of the most enduring images of individual resistance against the Nazi regime. The photograph was rediscovered decades later and has since been widely circulated as a symbol of dissent.

### Later Life and Death
Landmesser’s defiance likely had consequences, though specific details about his later life are sparse. He died on October 17, 1944, at the age of 34. The circumstances of his death are not explicitly stated in the source material, but his legacy as an anti-Nazi protester has been preserved through memorials and historical documentation.

### Legacy and Memorialization
Landmesser’s act of resistance has been commemorated in various ways. A *Stolperstein* (a brass plaque embedded in pavement) was installed at Sillemstraße 8a in Hamburg-Eimsbüttel, marking his former residence and honoring his opposition to Nazism. The photograph of his protest remains a powerful visual representation of individual courage in the face of totalitarianism, frequently cited in discussions about resistance during the Third Reich.

### Cultural Impact
The image of Landmesser’s defiance has been reproduced in books, documentaries, and online media, solidifying his place in historical narratives about resistance. His story is often invoked in debates about moral responsibility, civil disobedience, and the role of the individual in challenging oppressive systems. While his protest was not part of an organized movement, its documentation has ensured its enduring significance.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013