A Shocking Discovery
In April 1983, the German magazine Stern announced a historic revelation: they had obtained Adolf Hitler’s secret diaries. The magazine claimed the diaries, consisting of 60 volumes, detailed Hitler’s private thoughts and decisions between 1932 and 1945.
A Multi-Million Dollar Deal
Stern reportedly paid 9.3 million Deutsche Marks (about $4 million) for the documents. Major news outlets, including The Sunday Times and Newsweek, were prepared to publish excerpts, believing they had uncovered a major historical find.
Experts Uncover the Truth
Forensic analysis soon revealed the diaries were fake. The paper and ink were modern, and handwriting analysis showed inconsistencies. West Germany’s Federal Archives confirmed they were forgeries. The diaries had been created by Konrad Kujau, a German forger known for selling fake Nazi memorabilia.
The Scandal Unfolds
When the truth emerged, Stern faced international embarrassment. Kujau and Stern journalist Gerd Heidemann, who had brokered the deal, were both arrested. In 1985, both men were sentenced to prison, marking the end of one of history’s most notorious publishing hoaxes.
In April 1983, the German magazine Stern announced a historic revelation: they had obtained Adolf Hitler’s secret diaries. The magazine claimed the diaries, consisting of 60 volumes, detailed Hitler’s private thoughts and decisions between 1932 and 1945. But in reality…🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/RyCDlkeLSb
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