March 16, 1935.
Berlin, Germany
The sky over Berlin was a dull gray when the gates of the Reich Chancellery swung open.
By 7:30 a.m., the corridors were already full of activity with boots, murmurs, and the rustle of paperwork.
In the map room, Adolf Hitler stood before a long oak table, his hands behind his back, gaze steady.
The generals and ministers had assembled.
Across from him stood Field Marshal Werner von Blomberg, Minister of War.
Hermann Göring lingered near the windows, fidgeting with his leather gloves.
Joseph Goebbels was leafing through final drafts of the speech.
Rudolf Hess remained near the back wall, silent and watchful.
"Today," Hitler began, his voice low but firm, "we move from recovery to resurrection."
No one interrupted.
"For sixteen years, the German people have lived under the shame of Versailles. Restrictions. Insults. Disarmament imposed by foreign hands. We have endured, but we have not forgotten."
