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German town strips Hitler of honorary citizenship

Dietramszell, in southern Germany near Austrian border, gave Nazi leader distinction in 1933, shortly after he came to power

May 1, 1933 file photo shows German President Paul von Hindenburg, left, and Adolf Hitler, right, in a car during a labor day celebration in Berlin. (photo credit: AP)
May 1, 1933 file photo shows German President Paul von Hindenburg, left, and Adolf Hitler, right, in a car during a labor day celebration in Berlin. (photo credit: AP)

A Bavarian town council voted unanimously to strip Adolf Hitler of honorary citizenship bestowed 80 years ago, after an outcry prompted by their decision last week not to adopt a resolution denouncing the 1933 decision.

The issue came up after an archivist discovered documents showing both Hitler and the president who appointed him, Paul von Hindenburg, had been given honorary citizenship of Dietramszell.

The council deadlocked in an 8-8 vote last week on the resolution, with councilors voting against saying it was not up to them to rewrite history.

But town administrator Thomas Gerg said Wednesday the full council voted 21-0 on Tuesday to adopt the resolution and nullify the honor bestowed on both men after hearing impassioned testimony from a woman who lost family in the Holocaust.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.

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