Eighty-one years ago, a group of high-ranking German officials led by Claus Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg attempted to assassinate Adolf Hitler with a bomb at the Wolf's Lair headquarters. The plot, known as Operation Valkyrie, aimed to overthrow the regime by repurposing a military contingency plan for a coup. Despite initial hopes, the assassination failed due to a combination of luck, inadequate planning, and wavering support among the conspirators. Hitler survived with minor injuries, and the coup collapsed within hours, leading to the execution of Stauffenberg and many others involved.

Over time, the legacy of the July 20 plot has shifted in German memory. Once seen as traitors, the conspirators are now commemorated as symbols of resistance, though historians debate their motivations and the nature of the government they envisioned. While Stauffenberg has become the most recognized face of resistance, the article highlights that many others, from various backgrounds, also risked or lost their lives opposing the Nazi regime.