On November 20, 1945, the International Military Tribunal convened in Nuremberg, Germany, to try leading Nazi officials for war crimes and crimes against humanity. The United States played a central role in organizing the tribunal, with Supreme Court Justice Robert Jackson serving as chief U.S. prosecutor. The trial introduced detailed documentary and film evidence of Nazi atrocities. It also advanced legal concepts such as individual responsibility for war crimes and the idea that “following orders” is not a complete defense. The proceedings helped establish precedents for later international tribunals and the development of modern human rights law. For Americans, Nuremberg became a symbol of postwar justice and the rule of law on a global scale.
