Nazi Party pin for Labor Day 1936 acquired by Zaro Calabrese
Extent and Medium
overall: | Depth: 0.125 inches (0.318 cm) | Diameter: 1.375 inches (3.493 cm)
Creator(s)
- Werner Redo (Manufacturer)
- Zaro Calabrese (Subject)
- Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiter-Partei (Issuer)
Biographical History
Zaro Calabrese, a former member of the 3rd US Cavalry Group which was attached to the 4th Armored Division, participated in the liberation of Ohrdruf. He lives in New Milford, N.J.
Archival History
The lapel pin was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum by Zaro Calabrese in 1995.
Acquisition
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of Zaro Calabrese
Scope and Content
Labor Day pin acquired by Zaro Calabrese, an American soldier, in Europe during World War II (1939- 1945). The pin was issued in Germany on May 1, 1936, to commemorate May Day. In April 1933, after the Nazi party took control of the German government, May 1 was appropriated as the “Day of National Work,” with all celebrations organized by the government. The holiday was also known as Labor Day, as it was intended to honor the work done by laborers and the working class. On May 2, the Nazi party banned all independent trade-unions, bringing them under state control of the German Labor Front.
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access
Conditions Governing Reproduction
No restrictions on use
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Circular, silver-colored metal pin with an embossed design. The front bears images of a plow, a hammer, and a sword. Slightly below these is a smaller Parteiadler, a stylized eagle with its head turned to the right, holding in its claws a wreath with a canted swastika at the center. On the front, there is German text and a maker’s mark. On the back, a horizontal pin is fixed to the center above two lines of manufacturer’s information.
Subjects
- Germany.
Genre
- Jewelry.
- Object
- Identifying Artifacts