Five Brothers and a War

XI Olympiad—1936 Summer Games

There was significant dispute regarding the difference between the Nazi Salute and the Olympic Salute, which was based on a supposed Roman Salute. No evidence exists that there actually was a Roman Salute with the straight outstretched hand. In the United States, there was a similar Bellamy Salute used when reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. This salute was changed only in June 1942 as a reaction to its similarity to the Nazi Salute. In the photo above, the French team is saluting Hitler with what it claimed was the Olympic Salute. Likewise, the Canadian team performed a similar salute, as did many nations.

nazi germany

The Canadian team saluting Hitler

Five Brothers and a War

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