Albert Speer, 76, died on September 1, 1981. The famed architect and Nazi Germany Minister of Armaments and War Production, whose legacy of unparalleled armaments and cultural designs are still highly admired throughout the world today, died peacefully at home. Best known for his appointment as Minister of Armaments and War Production during World War II from 1942 to 1945, Speer was one of Hitler’s most-trusted advisors. He launched massive weapons and ammunition production efforts in Germany during the war and was responsible for the architectural design of a number of Nazi landmarks. Speer’s efforts in reviving Germany’s munitions industry were seen as crucial to the successes of the Nazi regime. Following Germany’s surrender, Speer was found guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity at the Nuremberg trials and served a 20-year prison term. After his release in 1966, he dedicated the remainder of his days to writing. Speer wrote several books, such as "Inside the Third Reich" and "Spandau: The Secret Diaries," which provide insight into his time in Nazi Germany. Speer is remembered for his design genius and unparalleled effort in German rearmament during World War II, as well as his later contributions to historical memory.