Nazi storm troopers fill the aisles as the crowd sings “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the opening of the German American Bund rally on Feb. 20, 1939, at Madison Square Garden.
[Larry Froeber/NY Daily News Archive]

That time they held a Nazi rally at Madison Square Garden

STORY BY STEPHEN J. THORNE

It’s like something out of George Orwell’s 1984, or Amazon Prime’s TV series “The Man in the High Castle,” which depicts a dystopian America under the rule of war-winning Nazis.

Only, this really happened: a Nazi rally at what was arguably the sports and entertainment capital of the world, New York’s Madison Square Garden, complete with swastikas, brownshirts and jackboots.

It was Feb. 20, 1939. In Germany, Adolf Hitler and his far-right National Socialist German Workers’ Party had been waging an escalating terror campaign against critics, artists, writers, Jews and other non-Aryans for most of the decade.

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More from Front Lines

• Raising hell: Discovering, and recovering, lost warships
• Researchers identify remains of Franklin expedition skipper
• Stolen Churchill portrait coming home

HomeEquity Bank, the provider of the CHIP Reverse Mortgage, is proud to be endorsed by The Royal Canadian Legion as a trusted organization offering a safe and secure financial solution to help aging Canadian homeowners live with independence, dignity, and empowerment.

Since 2019, HomeEquity Bank has partnered with the Royal Canadian Legion to empower Canadian Veterans and their families to live a secure retirement on their terms. As part of our ongoing commitment, Legion members receive a $500 cash rebate* upon funding their CHIP Reverse Mortgage!

Why should you consider the CHIP Reverse Mortgage?

• Access up to 55%** of the value of your home in tax-free cash
• Maintain ownership and control of your home
• No regular mortgage payments required
• No impact to OAS or CPP
• Only provider of reverse mortgages in Canada recommended by The Royal Canadian Legion

To learn more about how you can achieve financial freedom with the CHIP Reverse Mortgage, call us toll-free on 1-833-756-2447 or visit CHIP.ca.

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ATTENTION CANADIAN MILITARY FAMILIES : Did you or a family member receive VAC disability benefits between 2003 and 2023?

On 17 January 2024 the Federal Court approved a settlement in a class action involving alleged underpayment of certain disability pension benefits administered by Veterans Affairs Canada (“VAC”) payable to members or former members of the Canadian Armed Forces (“CAF”) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (“RCMP”) and their spouses, commonlaw partners, survivors, other related individuals, and estates (the “Settlement”).

If you received any of the disability-related benefits listed below at any time between 2003 and 2023, you may be entitled to compensation under the Settlement. As the executor, estate trustee, administrator, or family member of a deceased class member who collected VAC-administered disability benefits, you may also be able to claim on behalf of the estate.

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Allied troops arrive in Iceland. [Wikimedia]

When Canada invaded Iceland: ‘Z’ Force and Operation Fork

STORY BY ALEX BOWERS

May 10, 1940, was a British day of infamy.

In mainland Europe, Hitler’s forces had carried out a blitzkrieg whereby France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg would soon fall.

Meanwhile, No. 10 Downing Street had a new occupant in Winston Churchill after his embattled predecessor Neville Chamberlain resigned.

There was, however, a third—if largely since forgotten—event of near-equal notoriety, one in which more than 2,600 Canadians would eventually play a role.

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More from Military Milestones

• The forgotten grave of Canada’s first VC recipient, Alexander Roberts Dunn
• The Battle of Bowmanville
• Night of the Tempest: A British-Canadian pilot versus German Zeppelin L.31

Member Benefit Partner

Embark on an unforgettable voyage with BST Vacations and the Royal Canadian Legion aboard Celebrity Eclipse! This 9-night Caribbean Cruise includes visits to Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire, and Grand Cayman, all while indulging in top-notch amenities and entertainment on the ship.

Learn about this exclusive journey from Celebrity Cruises Sales Manager, Sandra Pennington, in a video recorded just for Legion Members: https://youtu.be/sxcUVxBHnoQ

For English inquiries, contact Bruce McIntosh at 1-800-461-8500 Ext 301 or bmcintosh@bstvacations.ca. For French assistance, reach Debbie Pichette at (418) 525-0540 or dpichette@gvq.ca. Full details: https://bstvacations.ca/royal-canadian-legion-cruise/

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