Adolf Hitler was born in April 1889 in a small Austrian town near the Bavarian border. He quit high school at age sixteen and lived the next three years in Linz. Hitler did not take a regular job but instead spent his time daydreaming, visiting the opera,and painting. Hitler dreamed of becoming a great artist, but he flunked the entrance examination at the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts. From 1909-1913 he lived in Vienna as a vagabond, working odd jobs and selling hand painted postcards on the streets. Hitler called it "the saddest period of my life." With no other prospects, Hitler joined the German infantry at the start of World War I. He became a corporal and was wounded in 1916. He received Germany's highest military honor. the Iron Cross First Class for bravery in battle. This was a rare achievement for an enlisted soldier. Germany's defeat profoundly affected Hitler's life. It gave him a permanent hatred of democratic politics and a strong belief in himself. After the war, Hitler decided to enter politics. He was twenty-nine years old with no profession, no education,and no friends. In 1921 he joined a small political party, the National Socialist Workers party, or Nazis. Hitler suddenly revealed a ferocious energy and drive. He proved to be brilliant organizer, propagandist,and orator. Hitler became there leader within a year and chose the swastik, an ancient Hindu sign as the Nazi symbol. Hitler's rise to power was made possible by a combination ot terror tactics and skillful proganda. His political opponents were beaten and their meetings disrupted by Nazi storm troopers. The Nazis staged torch-lit rallies,the crowd often stood hypnotized by Hitler's mesmerizing speeches. The chant of "Heil Hitler, Heil Hitler" would echo through the stadium. Men threw their arms out in the Nazi salute and continued the chorus, "Sieg Heil, Sieg Heil" (Hail victory). Once in power, Hitler established a brutal terrifying dictatorship. After his humiliating defeat at the end of World War II, he comitted suicide on April 30, 1945.