Mildred Fish-Harnack was a Milwaukee native who died fighting fascism during World War II. Notably, she is the only American known to have been executed on the direct order of Adolf Hitler.
The Milwaukee Democratic Socialists of America and coalition partners will celebrate Mildred Fish-Harnack’s heroic life — and the continued need to fight fascism today — with a memorial concert onFriday, Sept. 1, at Turner Hall Ballroom (1040 N Vel R Phillips Ave). This is an all-ages event, and the doors open at 6 p.m.
We will be celebrating her with an exciting lineup of regional musicians including Ruth B8r Ginsburg, Glutton for Insurrection, Brandon Payton-Carrillo, Lil’ Guillotine, and DJ Dr!psweat!
Tickets are limited — buy yours today!
About Mildred Fish-Harnack:
Mildred Fish-Harnack was born in Milwaukee on Sept. 16, 1902. In 19289, during the ascent of Adolf Hitler, she and her husband moved to Germany to fight fascism head-on. She started regularly hosting a small group of anti-fascist activists in her living room. This group went on to become the largest underground resistance in Berlin.
As part of the “Red Orchestra” — a network of left-wing and other resistance fighters — Fish-Harnack was pivotal in publishing an underground newsletter, feeding information to the U.S. and Soviet embassies, and transmitting military intelligence to Moscow concerning Germany’s invasion of the USSR.
The Gestapo arrested Fish-Harnack and her husband in September 1942. She was initially sentenced to six years in prison. However, Hitler took a personal interest in her punishment and demanded a retrial, which resulted in her being sentenced to death by guillotine on Feb. 16, 1943.
She is the only American known to have been executed on the direct order of Adolf Hitler.
