Adolf Hitler: Ruthless Leader of Germany At half past six on the evening of April 20th, 1889 Adolf Hitler was born in the small town of Branau, Austria. He was the son of Alois Hitler , and his wife Klara Hitler (Bradley 18). As a young boy Adolf attended church regularly and sang in the choir. One time Adolf carved a symbol into a church bench that resembled the swastika, which was later used to symbolize the Nazi party. Adolf was a fairly good student. He received good grades in most of his classes. However in his last year of school he failed mathematics and German. He dropped out of school at the age of 16, spending only ten years in schoo