<p>Dome of the Reichstag (German parliament) building, damaged by <a href="/narrative/11083">fire</a> on February 27, 1933. Hitler used the arson to convince President Hindenburg to declare a state of emergency, <a href="/narrative/11461">suspending constitutional safeguards</a>. Berlin, Germany, 1933.</p> — Dome of the Reichstag (German parliament) building, damaged by fire on February 27, 1933. Hitler used the arson to convince President Hindenburg to declare a state of emergency, suspending constitutional safeguards. Berlin, Germany, 1933.