13. Sabotage Ruined Hitler’s Paris Trip
The Eiffel Tower was inaugurated in 1889 as the entrance to Paris’ World Fair that year, and ever since, it has been one of the most recognized structures in the world. It was initially planned as a temporary structure, that would be torn down and sold for scrap after 20 years. Early on, many criticized it as an eyesore, and could not wait until the 20 years were up. However, it grew on people, and 20 years came and went without it getting torn down. Eventually, the Eiffel Tower became Paris’ most popular attraction and a beloved fixture of the Parisian skyline that only a philistine would dislike.
Half a century after the Eiffel Tower’s inauguration, the Germans overran Western Europe in 1940, in a devastating blitzkrieg campaign that crushed all opposition, and led to France’s collapse within 40 days. The French government fled its capital, and the French military evacuated Paris, declaring it an open city. On June 14th, 1940, the victorious Germans marched into and seized the City of Lights, and Hitler headed there to savor the triumph. However, the Fuhrer did not get to enjoy his visit as much as he had planned to, thanks to an act of petty sabotage by some French workmen.