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History of Berlin, Germany
Journey back in time to Berlin, Germany
Visit Berlin, Germany. Discover its history. Learn about the people who lived there through stories, old newspaper articles, pictures, postcards and ancestry.
Do You Have Berlin Roots? Share Your Ancestral Story!
Berlin is the capital and the largest city of Germany.
The history of Berlin starts with its foundation in the 13th century.
It became the capital of the Margraviate of Brandenburg in 1417, and later of Brandenburg-Prussia, and the Kingdom of Prussia. Prussia grew rapidly in the 18th and 19th century, and formed the basis of the German Empire in 1871.
During World War II, it was virtually destroyed by bombing, artillery, and ferocious street-by-street fighting.
justfunfacts.com
Berlin Nostalgia: Vintage Photos, Ads, and Postcards
Berlin, Germany
Postcard
Berlin, Germany
Postcard
Berlin, Germany
(IL) - Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois
Berlin, Germany
Postcard
Gruss aus Berlin Unter den Linden
Discover Berlin: History, News, Travel, and Stories
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1889 - In Berlin, Germany, there was a heavy fall of snow on the 4th, accompanied by a thunder-storm. In the mountain districts heavy and continuous rains had flooded the country.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
February 9, 1889
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
February 9, 1889
1890 - December 25 - Infectious Disease
The Berlin police have given notice to all unlicensed sanatoriums, hotels, etc., in the city that consumptives and other patients suffering from infectious diseases who may be stopping at such places must leave within eight days, or the places will be closed.
The Toronto Daily Mail
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
December 25, 1890
The Berlin police have given notice to all unlicensed sanatoriums, hotels, etc., in the city that consumptives and other patients suffering from infectious diseases who may be stopping at such places must leave within eight days, or the places will be closed.
The Toronto Daily Mail
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
December 25, 1890
1895 - Berlin
Berlin, a city, capital of Prussia, and of the empire of Germany, 156 miles E.S.E, of Hamburg, 100 miles N. of Dresden, and about 700 miles N.E. of Paris. Lat. 52° 45' 16" N., lon. 13° 23'53" E.; elevation above the sea, 115 feet; mean temperature of the year, 48°.2; summer, 64°.5; winter, 31°.4 Fahrenheit. Berlin is by far the largest town in Germany, and for the beauty and size of its buildings, the regularity of its streets, the importance of its institutions of science and art, and its activity, industry, and trade, is one of the finest cities in Europe. It is built on a sandy plain on both banks of the Spree. The city was formerly walled, and entered by gates, one of which, the Brandenburg gate on its W., is in the style of the Parthenon, surmounted by an image of victory, in a car drawn by 4 horses, taken to Paris by Napoleon I., and brought back after his defeat by the Prussians...
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott
Berlin, a city, capital of Prussia, and of the empire of Germany, 156 miles E.S.E, of Hamburg, 100 miles N. of Dresden, and about 700 miles N.E. of Paris. Lat. 52° 45' 16" N., lon. 13° 23'53" E.; elevation above the sea, 115 feet; mean temperature of the year, 48°.2; summer, 64°.5; winter, 31°.4 Fahrenheit. Berlin is by far the largest town in Germany, and for the beauty and size of its buildings, the regularity of its streets, the importance of its institutions of science and art, and its activity, industry, and trade, is one of the finest cities in Europe. It is built on a sandy plain on both banks of the Spree. The city was formerly walled, and entered by gates, one of which, the Brandenburg gate on its W., is in the style of the Parthenon, surmounted by an image of victory, in a car drawn by 4 horses, taken to Paris by Napoleon I., and brought back after his defeat by the Prussians...
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott
1935 - March 22 – The world's first television program is transmitted from the Funkturm in Berlin, Germany
wikipedia.org
March 22, 1935
wikipedia.org
March 22, 1935
1942 - January 20 - Nazi officials hold notorious Wannsee conference in Berlin deciding on "final solution" calling for extermination of Europe's Jews
historyorb.com
historyorb.com
1945 - Februray 3 - Almost 1,000 Flying Fortresses drop 3,000 tons of bombs on Berlin
historyorb.com
historyorb.com
1945 - April 30 – Death of Adolf Hitler: Adolf Hitler and his wife of one day, Eva Braun, commit suicide as the Red Army approaches the Führerbunker in Berlin.
wikipedia.org
April 30, 1945
wikipedia.org
April 30, 1945
1945 - May 8 - Victory in Europe Day (V-E Day) as Nazi Germany surrenders, marking the end of WWII in Europe, with the final surrender being to the Soviets in Berlin, attended by representatives of the Western Powers.
wikipedia.org
May 8, 1945
wikipedia.org
May 8, 1945
1948 - June 24 - Soviet Union begins Berlin Blockade
1948-11-30 - Soviets set up a separate municipal government in East Berlin
historyorb.com
1948-11-30 - Soviets set up a separate municipal government in East Berlin
historyorb.com
1961 - August 13 - Construction of the Berlin Wall begins in East Germany
historyorb.com
August 13, 1961
historyorb.com
August 13, 1961
1987 - June 12 - President Reagan gave the famous “Tear Down This Wall” speech, Berlin
The Old Farmer's Almanac www.almanac.com
June 12, 1987
The Old Farmer's Almanac www.almanac.com
June 12, 1987
2023 - Here's a list of places to visit and activities to enjoy in Berlin:
1. Brandenburg Gate: Start your journey with this iconic symbol of Berlin and Germany. It's a neoclassical gate that has witnessed much of the city's history.
2. Reichstag Building: Nearby is the Reichstag, home to the German parliament. You can visit the dome for panoramic views of the city.
3. Berlin Wall: Explore remnants of the Berlin Wall, such as the East Side Gallery, where artists have painted murals on the remaining sections.
4. Checkpoint Charlie: Visit this famous former border checkpoint between East and West Berlin during the Cold War. There's a museum that tells the checkpoint's history.
5. Museum Island: This UNESCO World Heritage site houses several world-class museums, including the Pergamon Museum, Neues Museum, and Alte Nationalgalerie.
6. Berlin Cathedral: Located on Museum Island, this stunning cathedral is a masterpiece of architecture and offers great views from its dome.
7. Holocaust Memorial: Pay your respects at the Memorial to the Murdered... Read MORE...
1. Brandenburg Gate: Start your journey with this iconic symbol of Berlin and Germany. It's a neoclassical gate that has witnessed much of the city's history.
2. Reichstag Building: Nearby is the Reichstag, home to the German parliament. You can visit the dome for panoramic views of the city.
3. Berlin Wall: Explore remnants of the Berlin Wall, such as the East Side Gallery, where artists have painted murals on the remaining sections.
4. Checkpoint Charlie: Visit this famous former border checkpoint between East and West Berlin during the Cold War. There's a museum that tells the checkpoint's history.
5. Museum Island: This UNESCO World Heritage site houses several world-class museums, including the Pergamon Museum, Neues Museum, and Alte Nationalgalerie.
6. Berlin Cathedral: Located on Museum Island, this stunning cathedral is a masterpiece of architecture and offers great views from its dome.
7. Holocaust Memorial: Pay your respects at the Memorial to the Murdered... Read MORE...
Our Berlin Gift Ideas
Discover Your Roots: Berlin Ancestry
Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in Berlin, Germany
We currently have information about ancestors who were born or died in Berlin.View Them Now (sorted by year of birth)
Andreas SCHULTZ (December 1753, Berlin, Germany - 10 May 1836, Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada (Three Rivers))
Louisa COMBS (1781, Berlin, Germany - 1840, , West Virginia, USA)
George Washington ADAMS (13 April 1801 , Berlin, Germany - 30 April 1829, Long Island City, New York, USA)Theodor BUROW (1809, - 5 October 1872, Berlin, Germany)August J. SCHROEDER (July 4, 1828, Berlin, Germany - April 24, 1914, Meriden, Connecticut, USA)Christiane Marie SCHMIDT (21 December 1833, Berlin, Germany - 26 September 1916, , Connecticut, USA)Henrietta Ballman SCHROEDER (August 13, 1834, Berlin, Germany - August 21, 1903, Meriden, Connecticut, USA)Wilhelm Karl Friedrich WALTHER (20 November 1841, Neuhaldensleben, Börde, Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany - 15 January 1910, Berlin, Germany)Barbara WALTERS (December 22 1861, Berlin, Germany - October 10 1920, White Lake, Wisconsin, USA)Ancestors Who Were Married in Berlin, Germany
We currently have information about ancestors who were married in Berlin.View Them Now
Augustus Ferdinand GOETTEL (15 July 1855 - 22 February 1932) and 
Emma Augusta ZEHRENDT (1 February 1856 - ) married 12 April 1877Ferdinand Franz LIPPMANN (23 June 1868 - 6 April 1945) and Luise Pauline SEIBT (12 January 1872 - 17 September 1912) married 25 October 1892
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NOTE: If you don't know your ancestor's whole name or are unsure of the spelling, specify part of the name.Updated: 9/19/2023 2:12:35 PM