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History of Germany
Journey back in time to Germany
(German States) (German Empire)
Visit Germany. Discover its history. Learn about the people who lived there through stories, old newspaper articles, pictures, postcards and genealogy.
Are you from Germany ? Do you have ancestors from there? Tell us YOUR story!
In 1889, Gottlieb Daimler of Germany invents the automobile.
Fun fact: Wishing someone Happy Birthday before their birthday is considered bad luck in Germany. Germans celebrate sixteenth birthdays with flour thrown on their head. On the eighteenth birthday, the flour is replaced with eggs. If a German man reaches age 25 before being married, friends hang socks (sockencranz) outside the person's house as a symbol of his old age.
In Germany, a Christmas pickle ornament is the last ornament to be hung on the Christmas tree. It looks like a pickle and is usually made of glass. It is hidden in the tree. The first child to find it on Christmas day receives a special gift along with good luck for the following year.
As in many other European countries, on the eve of Dec. 6th children place a shoe or boot by the fireplace. During the night, St. Nicholas, the patron saint of children, hops from house to house carrying a book of sins in which all of the misdeeds of the children are written. If they have been good, he fills the shoe or boot with delicious holiday edibles. If they have not been good, their shoe is filled with twigs. worldholidaytraditions.com
There is MUCH more to discover about Germany. Read on!
- (1618-1648) Thirty Years' War (Germany)
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ europe/ germany/ detimeln.htm - 1701 - King of Prussia crowned
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ europe/ germany/ detimeln.htm - 1705 - January 8 - George Frideric Handel's 1st opera "Almira" premieres in Hamburg
www.onthisday.com - 1717 - January 14 - German mob leader "Sjako" sentenced to death in Amsterdam
onthisday.com - (1740-42) The Silesian War (Germany)
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ europe/ germany/ detimeln.htm - (1756-63) The Seven Years' War
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ europe/ germany/ detimeln.htm 
The Harz
Advertisement- 1817 - The bicycle is invented (Baron Karl de Drais de Sauerbrun, Germany)
"... The first known bicyclist was the Comte de Sivrac, who was seen riding a two-wheel 'wooden horse' in Paris in 1791, the Smithsonian reports....Read MORE... - 1849 - April 2 – Revolutions of 1848 in the German states end in failure.
www.wikipedia.org
April 2, 1849 
1857 - The Kiss as an Elevator
In a German tale, published some time since, is a description of 'The First Kiss' in the following sensation style -
'Am I really dear to you,...Read MORE...- "German Toast" - An 1858 Breakfast Treat!
Two eggs, one pint of milk, and flour enough to make a thick batter; cut wheat bread into very thin slices, and soak them in sweetened water; cover...Read MORE... 
Porcelain Pipes Brought from Westphalia, Germany to Genoa, Nevada in 1864 by August Dangberg
Douglas County Historical Society Courthouse Museum, Genoa, Nevada- 1867 - Why Do German Women Make Good Wives
The culinary art forms a part of the education of women in Germany. The well-to-do tradesman, like the mechanic, takes pride in seeing his daughters...Read MORE... - 1868 - It is said more books are now published in Germany than in any other country.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
April 18, 1868 - 1870 - Twenty four thousand emigrants left Germany during the first four months of the present year.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
June 4, 1870 - (1870-71) Franco-Prussian War
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ europe/ germany/ detimeln.htm 
German Moustache Cup, late 1800s
Found at The Way It Was Museum, Virginia City, Nevada- 1871 - Preserving the Flavor of Butter
The German Agriculturalist says that a great portion of the fine flavor of fresh butter is destroyed by the usual mode of washing and he recommends a ...Read MORE... - 1871 - Treaty of Frankfurt ends Franco-Prussian War; German Empire recognized and France loses Alsace-Lorraine
- 1886 - January 29 – Karl Benz patents the first successful gasoline-driven automobile, the Benz Patent Motorwagen (built in 1885).
www.wikipedia.org
January 29, 1886 - 1888 - Fire on the 29th at Huenfield, Germany, destroyed two hundred houses and made fifteen hundred persons homeless and destitute.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
November 3, 1888 - 1888 - Frederick III was on the 12th formally proclaimed Emperor of Germany, and he issued a proclamation to the people in which he declared that the policy of the dead ruler should be continued.
A fortune of three hundred million marks in cash was left by the late Emperor William, of Germany.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
March 17, 1888 - 1889 - The automobile is invented (Gottlieb Daimler, Germany)
THE NEW MOVING POWER
DAIMLER'S WONDERFUL MOTOR AND ITS PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS.
The Various Vehicles That Can Be Seen Moved by It at Stuttgart -...Read MORE... - 1890 - December 25 - The German Government has concluded the arrangements as to the manner in which the future preparation and distribution of Prof. Koch's lymph is to be carried on.
Adams and North Adams, Massachusetts Directories, 1887, 1889-90, 1890-93
The Toronto Daily Mail
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
December 25, 1890 
Hamburg
Postcard
Karlsbad
Postcard
Leer
Postcard
Uddevalla
Postcard- 1891 - January 1 - Paying of old age pensions begins in Germany.
www.wikipedia.org
January 1, 1891 - 1895 - March 30 – Rudolf Diesel patents the Diesel engine in Germany.
DR. RUDOLF DIESEL,
Invented one of the most useful of engines—and died a bankrupt.
...Rudolf Diesel, one of the greatest inventors Germany has...Read MORE... - 1895 - Germany / German Empire
Ger’many, or German Empire, an empire of Central Europe, comprising 26 states, in which the German race and lan guage prevail, between lat. 45° and...Read MORE... - 1897 - Aspirin is invented (Felix Hoffmann (Bayer), Germany)
Aspirin Discoverer Dies an Unknown Man
"CHICAGO (UPI) - In these days of deadlines and taxes and other headaches, offer a cheer for Felix...Read MORE... - 1899 - March 6 – Felix Hoffmann patents aspirin and Bayer registers its name as a trademark.
www.wikipedia.org
March 6, 1899 - 1900 - Population of Germany - 56,367,178
(IL) - Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois
(IL) - Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois
(IL) - Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois
(IL) - Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois
(IL) - Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois
(IL) - Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois
Visit Germany
Advertisement- 1910 - Germany Enjoys a "Fat" Christmas
Year of Immense Prosperity Ending, and People are Spending Lavishly.
BUT WEATHER IS ABNORMAL
April-Like Drizzle in Berlin and Hardly a Flake of ...Read MORE... - 1913 - Christmas in Germany
Cakes weighing from one to twelve pounds are made in Friedrichstadt. They place them in exalted position and play to them, representing, as they say...Read MORE... - 1919 - June 28 - The Treaty of Versailles is signed, blaming Germany for World War I and creating a League of Nations
World War I (1914-1918) was finally over. This first global conflict had claimed from 9 million to 13 million lives and caused unprecedented damage....Read MORE... - 1926 - Germany is admitted to the League of Nations
- 1934 - Adolph Hitler succeeds Hindenburg as leader of Germany
- 1935 - Nuremburg Racial Laws limiting Jewish rights announced at Nazi Party Rally (Germany)
- 1937 - Hindenburg disaster
The Hindenburg disaster took place on Thursday, May 6, 1937, as the German passenger airship LZ 129 Hindenburg caught fire and was destroyed during...Read MORE... - 1939 - September 1 - World War II begins: Germany invades Poland
September 1, 1939 - 1961 - East Germany begins construction of the Berlin Wall
- 1989 - In response to massive protests, the East German government allows East Berliners to cross into West Berlin. The dismantling of the Berlin Wall begins shortly after.
- 1990 - German reunification officially completed according to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Germany
Old Photos, Pictures, Advertisements and Postcards from Germany
Germany
 (German Empire) - The Harz)
The Harz
Advertisement
Germany
 (German Empire) - Porcelain Pipes Brought from Westphalia, Germany to Genoa, Nevada in 1864 by August Dangberg)
Porcelain Pipes Brought from Westphalia, Germany to Genoa, Nevada in 1864 by August Dangberg
Douglas County Historical Society Courthouse Museum, Genoa, Nevada
Germany
 (German Empire) - German Moustache Cup, late 1800s)
German Moustache Cup, late 1800s
Found at The Way It Was Museum, Virginia City, Nevada
Germany
 (German Empire) - Hamburg)
Hamburg
Postcard
Germany
 (German Empire) - Karlsbad)
Karlsbad
Postcard
Germany
 (German Empire) - Leer)
Leer
Postcard
Germany
 (German Empire) - Uddevalla)
Uddevalla
Postcard
Germany
 (German Empire) - )
(IL) - Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois
Germany
 (German Empire) - )
(IL) - Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois
Germany
 (German Empire) - )
(IL) - Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois
Germany
 (German Empire) - )
(IL) - Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois
Germany
 (German Empire) - )
(IL) - Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois
Germany
 (German Empire) - )
(IL) - Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois
Germany
 (German Empire) - Visit Germany)
Visit Germany
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History, News and Stories of Germany
Add History/News/Story-
(1618-1648) Thirty Years' War (Germany)
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ europe/ germany/ detimeln.htm
-
1701 - King of Prussia crowned
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ europe/ germany/ detimeln.htm
-
1705 - January 8 - George Frideric Handel's 1st opera "Almira" premieres in Hamburg
www.onthisday.com
-
1717 - January 14 - German mob leader "Sjako" sentenced to death in Amsterdam
onthisday.com
-
(1740-42) The Silesian War (Germany)
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ europe/ germany/ detimeln.htm
-
(1756-63) The Seven Years' War
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ europe/ germany/ detimeln.htm
-
1817 - The bicycle is invented (Baron Karl de Drais de Sauerbrun, Germany)
"... The first known bicyclist was the Comte de Sivrac, who was seen riding a two-wheel 'wooden horse' in Paris in 1791, the Smithsonian reports.... Read MORE...
-
1849 - April 2 – Revolutions of 1848 in the German states end in failure.
www.wikipedia.org
April 2, 1849
1857 - The Kiss as an Elevator
In a German tale, published some time since, is a description of 'The First Kiss' in the following sensation style -
'Am I really dear to you,... Read MORE...
-
"German Toast" - An 1858 Breakfast Treat!
Two eggs, one pint of milk, and flour enough to make a thick batter; cut wheat bread into very thin slices, and soak them in sweetened water; cover... Read MORE...
-
1866 - Prussian-Austrian War
History of Germany
Oliver Hulme (www.youtube.com)
A history of Germany, and its surface from the Austro-Prussian War, to its modern day Post-Cold-War identity.
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ europe/ germany/ detimeln.htm
-
1867 - Why Do German Women Make Good Wives
The culinary art forms a part of the education of women in Germany. The well-to-do tradesman, like the mechanic, takes pride in seeing his daughters... Read MORE...
-
1868 - It is said more books are now published in Germany than in any other country.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
April 18, 1868
-
(1870-71) Franco-Prussian War
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ europe/ germany/ detimeln.htm
-
1870 - Twenty four thousand emigrants left Germany during the first four months of the present year.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
June 4, 1870
-
1871 - Treaty of Frankfurt ends Franco-Prussian War; German Empire recognized and France loses Alsace-Lorraine
-
1871 - Preserving the Flavor of Butter
The German Agriculturalist says that a great portion of the fine flavor of fresh butter is destroyed by the usual mode of washing and he recommends a ... Read MORE...
-
1886 - January 29 – Karl Benz patents the first successful gasoline-driven automobile, the Benz Patent Motorwagen (built in 1885).
www.wikipedia.org
January 29, 1886
-
1888 - Frederick III was on the 12th formally proclaimed Emperor of Germany, and he issued a proclamation to the people in which he declared that the policy of the dead ruler should be continued.
A fortune of three hundred million marks in cash was left by the late Emperor William, of Germany. St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
March 17, 1888
-
1888 - Fire on the 29th at Huenfield, Germany, destroyed two hundred houses and made fifteen hundred persons homeless and destitute.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
November 3, 1888
-
1889 - The automobile is invented (Gottlieb Daimler, Germany)
THE NEW MOVING POWER
DAIMLER'S WONDERFUL MOTOR AND ITS PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS.
The Various Vehicles That Can Be Seen Moved by It at Stuttgart -... Read MORE...
-
1890 - December 25 - The German Government has concluded the arrangements as to the manner in which the future preparation and distribution of Prof. Koch's lymph is to be carried on.
Adams and North Adams, Massachusetts Directories, 1887, 1889-90, 1890-93
The Toronto Daily Mail
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
December 25, 1890
-
1891 - January 1 - Paying of old age pensions begins in Germany.
www.wikipedia.org
January 1, 1891
-
1895 - Germany / German Empire
Ger’many, or German Empire, an empire of Central Europe, comprising 26 states, in which the German race and lan guage prevail, between lat. 45° and... Read MORE...
-
1895 - March 30 – Rudolf Diesel patents the Diesel engine in Germany.
DR. RUDOLF DIESEL,
Invented one of the most useful of engines—and died a bankrupt.
...Rudolf Diesel, one of the greatest inventors Germany has... Read MORE...
-
1897 - Aspirin is invented (Felix Hoffmann (Bayer), Germany)
Aspirin Discoverer Dies an Unknown Man
"CHICAGO (UPI) - In these days of deadlines and taxes and other headaches, offer a cheer for Felix... Read MORE...
-
1899 - March 6 – Felix Hoffmann patents aspirin and Bayer registers its name as a trademark.
www.wikipedia.org
March 6, 1899
-
1900 - Population of Germany - 56,367,178
-
1900 - July 2 - The first zeppelin flight is carried out over Lake Constance near Friedrichshafen, Germany.
2 July 1900 Zeppelin Flight (in German)
2. Juli 1900 - Start des ersten Zeppelins
historyvisionde (www.youtube.com)
www.wikipedia.org
July 2, 1900
-
1910 - Germany Enjoys a "Fat" Christmas
Year of Immense Prosperity Ending, and People are Spending Lavishly.
BUT WEATHER IS ABNORMAL
April-Like Drizzle in Berlin and Hardly a Flake of ... Read MORE...
-
1913 - Christmas in Germany
Cakes weighing from one to twelve pounds are made in Friedrichstadt. They place them in exalted position and play to them, representing, as they say... Read MORE...
-
1914 - August 1 - World War I begins: Germany declares war on Russia and France and invades Belgium
August 1, 1914 - Germany declares war on Russia. France and Belgium begin full mobilization.
August 3, 1914 - Germany declares war on France, and invades neutral Belgium. Britain then sends an ultimatum, rejected by the Germans, to withdraw from Belgium.
August 4, 1914 - Great Britain... Read MORE...
-
1919 - June 28 - The Treaty of Versailles is signed, blaming Germany for World War I and creating a League of Nations
World War I (1914-1918) was finally over. This first global conflict had claimed from 9 million to 13 million lives and caused unprecedented damage.... Read MORE...
-
1923 - Adolf Hitlers Nazis unsuccessfully attempt to overthrow the German government in the Beer Hall Putsch
Hitler's Beer Hall Putsch
Khan Academy (www.youtube.com) -
1926 - Germany is admitted to the League of Nations
-
1934 - Adolph Hitler succeeds Hindenburg as leader of Germany
-
1935 - Nuremburg Racial Laws limiting Jewish rights announced at Nazi Party Rally (Germany)
-
1937 - Hindenburg disaster
The Hindenburg disaster took place on Thursday, May 6, 1937, as the German passenger airship LZ 129 Hindenburg caught fire and was destroyed during... Read MORE...
-
1939 - September 1 - World War II begins: Germany invades Poland
September 1, 1939
-
1961 - East Germany begins construction of the Berlin Wall
-
1989 - In response to massive protests, the East German government allows East Berliners to cross into West Berlin. The dismantling of the Berlin Wall begins shortly after.
-
1990 - German reunification officially completed according to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Germany
Germany Genealogy
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Updated: 6/18/2021 11:37:01 AM
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