27 February 1933: The Reichstag , Germany's Parliament building is set afire--but not totally destroyed. Historians have written that this was done deliberately by Hitler's men to gain control of Germany as a political party

28 February 1933: The Reichstag Fire Decree, written by German President Paul von Hindenburg at the urging of Adolf Hitler, is passed, nullifying many German civil liberties. This empowered anyone opposing the Nazi party to be imprisoned.

23 March 1933: The Reichstag passes the Enabling Act, making Adolf Hitler dictator of Germany. This gave the new Chancellor (Hitler) the power to make and enforce laws bypassing the Reichstag. After hearing of the president's failing health the day before von Hindenburg's death, Hitler had the cabinet pass the "Law Concerning the Highest State Office of the Reich," which abolished the office of the president giving him total power. At von Hindenburg's death in 1934, the office of the president was abolished and all powers were transferred to the new Chancellor, Adolf Hitler, making him dictator of Germany. 

At right is Adolf Hitler and Weimar President Paul von Hindenburg, circa 1933.