360
Germany
Everything about Germany on 360n60: 5 history, 12 dates in history, 1 people. Each told in 60 words.
History · 5
- History · 3 October 1990
Germany is reunified
On 3 October 1990, East and West Germany were reunited as one country, less than a year after the Berlin Wall fell. Germany had been divided since the end of the Second World War. Crowds celebrated in front of the Reichstag in Berlin. Germans now mark 3 October every year as the Day of German Unity.
- History · 9 November 1989
The Berlin Wall falls
On the night of 9 November 1989, East Germany opened its border crossings, and crowds poured through the Berlin Wall, which had divided the city since 1961. People celebrated on top of the wall and began chipping pieces away. Less than a year later, on 3 October 1990, Germany was reunified.
- History · 1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945
The Second World War
The Second World War began when Germany invaded Poland on 1 September 1939 and ended with Japan's surrender on 2 September 1945. Fought across Europe, Africa, Asia and the Pacific, it was the deadliest conflict in history, with an estimated 70 to 85 million deaths. Afterwards, nations founded the United Nations.
- History · 8 November 1895
Wilhelm Röntgen discovers X-rays
On 8 November 1895, the German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen discovered a new kind of invisible ray that could pass through the human body and show the bones inside. He called them X-rays. Within months, doctors were using them, and in 1901 Röntgen received the first Nobel Prize in Physics.
- History · 29 January 1886
Karl Benz patents the first practical motor car
On 29 January 1886, the German engineer Karl Benz patented his Motorwagen, a three-wheeled vehicle powered by a petrol engine. It is widely regarded as the first practical car. In 1888, Bertha Benz drove it about 100 kilometres, the first long-distance car journey, proving its value.
On this day · 12
- On this day · 3 October 1990
Germany is reunified
On 3 October 1990, East and West Germany were reunited as one country, less than a year after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Germans celebrate the date every year as the Day of German Unity.
- On this day · 9 November 1989
The Berlin Wall falls
On the night of 9 November 1989, East Germany opened its border crossings, and crowds poured through the Berlin Wall, which had divided the city since 1961. People celebrated on top of the wall. Less than a year later, on 3 October 1990, Germany was reunified.
- On this day · 9 May 1950
The Schuman Declaration proposes European cooperation
On 9 May 1950, French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman proposed that France and Germany pool their coal and steel industries, to make war between them 'materially impossible'. It led to the European Coal and Steel Community and later the European Union. The date is celebrated as Europe Day.
- On this day · 1 September 1939
The Second World War begins
On 1 September 1939, Germany invaded Poland. Two days later, Britain and France declared war on Germany. The Second World War lasted until 1945, drew in most of the world's nations and became the deadliest conflict in history.
- On this day · 9 August 1936
Jesse Owens wins his fourth Olympic gold
On 9 August 1936, the American athlete Jesse Owens won his fourth gold medal at the Berlin Olympics, in the 4 x 100 m relay, after winning the 100 m, 200 m and long jump. His achievement made him one of the most celebrated athletes in history.
- On this day · 28 June 1919
The Treaty of Versailles is signed
On 28 June 1919, the Treaty of Versailles was signed in the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles, near Paris, formally ending the First World War between Germany and the Allied powers. It also set up the League of Nations.
- On this day · 2 July 1900
The first Zeppelin airship flies
On 2 July 1900, the first rigid airship built by Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin, LZ 1, rose over Lake Constance in Germany, carrying five people for about 18 minutes. Zeppelins later carried passengers across the Atlantic, until the Hindenburg disaster of 1937 ended the airship era.
- On this day · 8 November 1895
Wilhelm Röntgen discovers X-rays
On 8 November 1895, the German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen noticed a glowing screen in his laboratory and discovered a new kind of invisible ray that could pass through the human body. He called them X-rays. Within months, doctors were using them to see broken bones.
- On this day · 23 February 1893
Rudolf Diesel is granted a patent for his engine
On 23 February 1893, the German engineer Rudolf Diesel was granted a patent for a new kind of engine, which ignites its fuel by squeezing air until it is very hot, with no spark. Diesel engines became the workhorses of ships, trains, trucks and generators worldwide.
- On this day · 29 January 1886
Karl Benz patents the motor car
On 29 January 1886, the German engineer Karl Benz applied for a patent for his 'vehicle powered by a gas engine', the three-wheeled Benz Patent-Motorwagen. It is widely regarded as the first true motor car. Two years later, his wife Bertha drove it more than 100 km to show what it could do.
- On this day · 24 March 1882
Robert Koch announces the cause of tuberculosis
On 24 March 1882, the German doctor Robert Koch announced in Berlin that he had found the bacterium that causes tuberculosis, then a leading cause of death. His discovery led to better diagnosis and, decades later, cures. The date is marked every year as World Tuberculosis Day.
- On this day · 14 March 1879
Albert Einstein is born
On 14 March 1879, Albert Einstein was born in Ulm, Germany. His theories of relativity changed our understanding of space, time and gravity, and his work on light helped found quantum physics. He won the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics. The date is also celebrated as Pi Day, from 3.14.