Upon beginning reading Berlin at War by Roger Moorhouse, I was inspired by the details of the festivities associated with the celebration of Adolf Hitler’s birthday on April 20th in 1939. Throughout reading the prologue, I could not help but notice the similarities between the morale of the German city on Hitler’s birthday and that of the Rollins College campus on Fox Day.
1. The whole city wakes up early and eager for the day
A day different from normal and extra special! In Nazi Germany the Berliners woke up eager for what was to be of this day as they got to celebrate their leader for the whole day.
Similarly, Rollins College students are awake before the sun is ready to see what the day has in store for them.
2. The people set off for a trip
“The better prepared among them would take folding chairs or stools”, states a direct quote from Moorhouse’s book as he describes the Berliners making their way to the center of the day’s festivities.
The Berliners are eager to adventure and so are Rollins students as they set out for the beach, lake Virginia, Disney World, or Universal Studios!
3. Celebratory foods galore!
Hitler’s birthday in 1939 (his 50th birthday) was deemed a Holiday for the state and was celebrated as such. Holidays in Germany were typically used a political propaganda technique and in the case of Hitler’s birthday featured a grand parade and feast.
At Rollins on Fox Day, the school celebrates the glorious class free day by having a Barbeque on Mills Lawn.