Adolf Hitler (20 April 1889 – 30 April 1945) was an Austrian-born German politician and the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party, commonly referred to as the Nazi Party. He was chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945, and head of state from 1934 to 1945. Hitler is most commonly associated with the rise of fascism in Europe, World War II, and the Holocaust. Hitler killed himself on April 30, 1945, just days before Germany's unconditional surrender.