1517 was a year of big change in Germany when Martin Luther (1483–1546)puts his 95 Theses on the door of the Catholic Church in Wittenberg. It caused the Reformation.
1618 to 1648 is the time for the Thirty Years' War with religious and political reasons. It ends with the Peace of Westphalia: The Catholic, Lutheran and Reformist faiths are recognized as equal.
A big part of Germany called Prussia was ruled by Frederick the Great from 1740 to 1786. His rule is seen as an example for the age of “enlightened absolutism” and he led Prussia to an European superpower.
1873 is the Foundation of the German Reich which was a constitutional monarchy.
1914-1918 was the time of the first World War which caused the death of 15 million people.
After that a Republic was built in 1918/1919.
In 1932 the NSDAP (nationalist party) gained the most votes and Adolf Hitler became the chancellor of the Reich in 1933. The second World War started 1939 and ended in 1945. 60 million people lost their lives and 6 million jews were murdered by Nazis.
After the war, the four Allies divided the country into four occupation zones and Berlin into four sectors.
In 1949, the Federal Republic of Germany was introduced. But, also the division between East and West is completed when the Constitution of the German Democratic Republic comes into force.
The Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) was one of the six nations to sign the founding treaties of the European Economic Community in 1957.
In 1961, East Germany cut itself off by building a wall through the middle of Berlin and the “Death Strip” along the border between the two Germanies.
France and Germany signed a treaty of friendship which is called Elysée Treaty in 1963.
1989 was the year of a big change in Germany - especially for the Germans. It was the fall of the Wall and with it the border between West and East Germany. For many Germans it was the beginning of a new hope and for East Germans also their new freedom.
On October 3, 1990, Germany is finally united. Besides the 3rd of October became the national holiday.
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