The Night of the Long Knives, or Röhm Putsch, occurred in Nazi Germany on June 30, 1934. Adolf Hitler ordered the purge to eliminate potential rivals, primarily Ernst Röhm and the SA leadership. The SS, led by Heinrich Himmler, carried out mass arrests and executions, consolidating Hitler's power. This ruthless action solidified the dominance of the SS over the SA and demonstrated Hitler's willingness to eliminate any perceived threats to his regime. The purge marked a turning point, establishing the SS as a powerful force and demonstrating the brutality of Hitler's regime.