Video: 'The TRAGIC Execution Of Sophie Scholl - The White Rose'

(Thursday, February 18, 1943, around 11:15 a.m. Central European Time; during World War II) — Hans Scholl, 24, and his sister Sophie, 21, the leaders of the German youth group Weisse Rose (White Rose) that was secretly distributing anti-Hitler literature, were captured today at the University of Munich by the Gestapo.

The Scholls had brought a suitcase full of leaflets to the university’s main building. They hurriedly dropped stacks of copies in the empty corridors for students to find when they left the lecture rooms.

Leaving before the lectures had ended, the Scholls noticed that there were some left-over copies in the suitcase and decided to distribute them. Sophie flung the last remaining leaflets from the top floor down into the atrium.

This spontaneous action was observed by the university maintenance man, Jakob Schmid, who called the Gestapo. The university doors were locked, and the fate of the brother and sister was sealed.

Hans and Sophie Scholl were taken into Gestapo custody. A draft of a pamphlet written by Christoph Probst, 23, was found in the possession of Hans Scholl at the time of his arrest by the Gestapo.

Video: 'Sophie Scholl: The Final Days (Full film)'

While Sophie Scholl got rid of incriminating evidence before being taken into custody, Hans did try to destroy the draft of the last leaflet by tearing it apart and trying to swallow it. However, the Gestapo recovered enough of it and was able to match the handwriting with other writings from Probst, which they found when they searched Hans’s apartment.

Christoph was captured on Feb. 20.

The main Gestapo interrogator was Robert Mohr, who initially thought Sophie was innocent. However, after Hans had confessed, Sophie assumed full responsibility in an attempt to protect other members of the White Rose.

The Scholls and Probst were scheduled to stand trial before the Volksgerichtshof—the Nazi “People’s Court” infamous for its unfair political trials, which more often than not ended with a death sentence—on Feb. 22, 1943.

They were found guilty of treason. Roland Freisler, head judge of the court, sentenced them to death. The three were executed the same day by guillotine at Stadelheim Prison.

Sophie went under the guillotine first, followed by Hans and then Christoph. While Sophie and Christoph were silent as they died, Hans yelled “es lebe die Freiheit!” (long live freedom) as the blade fell.