The Night of the Long Knives refers to a series of extrajudicial killings from June 30 to July 2, 1934, orchestrated by Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party. This operation aimed to remove political adversaries and consolidate Hitler's authority. The most prominent target was Ernst Röhm, the leader of the Sturmabteilung (SA), whose growing power was seen as a threat. The SA was crucial in Nazi rise to power but increasingly viewed as a liability by Hitler and his inner circle. The murders were carried out by the SS, led by Heinrich Himmler, and, as the purge unfolded, roughly 85 individuals were executed, although estimates suggest the number could be higher when considering other associated killings.The purges took place in various locations across Germany, with notable incidents occurring at the Hanselbauer Hotel in Bad Wiessee, where Röhm was killed. This violent episode solidified the Nazis' grip on power while simultaneously sending a clear warning to anyone who might oppose Hitler. The widespread public knowledge of these purges was largely accepted or ignored amidst significant propaganda efforts that depicted them as necessary for the stability of the regime. The event marked a turning point that led to the SA's diminished influence and the SS's rise as the dominant force within the Nazi hierarchy, further enabling the regime's consolidation of power and the establishment of a police state.The aftermath of the Night of the Long Knives set in motion a series of changes within the Nazi regime, allowing for greater uniformity and control while illustrating the ruthless nature of Hitler's governance. It is remembered as a crucial step in establishing totalitarian rule in Germany and foreshadowed the increasing brutality that characterized the broader Nazi regime in the years leading up to World War II.