Germany: timeline and key events
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War
Battle of Teutoburg Forest
Germanic leader Arminius (Hermann) crushed three Roman legions in the Teutoburg Forest, permanently halting Rome's expansion into Germania.
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Politics
Coronation of Charlemagne
Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne Emperor of the Romans in Rome on 25 December 800, founding the idea of a Christian Western Empire.
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Culture
Luther posts his 95 Theses in Wittenberg
On 31 October 1517, Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses challenging indulgences, triggering the Protestant Reformation that divided the Christian Church.
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War
Start of the Thirty Years' War
The Defenestration of Prague in 1618 triggered a religious and political conflict that devastated Central Europe for thirty years, reducing the German population by a third.
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Politics
Peace of Westphalia
The Peace of Westphalia ended the Thirty Years' War and laid the foundations of the sovereign state system in Europe.
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War
Seven Years' War (Frederick the Great)
Frederick II's Prussia held its own against a coalition of European powers, establishing itself as a new major continental power.
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Politics
Dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire
Under pressure from Napoleon, Francis II abdicated and dissolved the Holy Roman Empire, which had lasted over a thousand years.
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War
Battle of Leipzig (Battle of Nations)
The largest battle of the Napoleonic era saw Napoleon defeated by a coalition of four nations, forcing the Emperor to retreat to France.
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Politics
March Revolution (Spring of Nations)
The liberal uprising of March 1848 demanded a constitution and German unity ; it was ultimately suppressed but paved the way for future reforms.
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Politics
Proclamation of the German Empire at Versailles
On 18 January 1871, in the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles, Wilhelm I was proclaimed German Emperor, unifying the nation under Bismarck's leadership.
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War
Assassination of Franz Ferdinand / start of WWI
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo triggered a diplomatic crisis that led Germany and Europe into the Great War.
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Politics
Hitler appointed Chancellor
On 30 January 1933, Adolf Hitler was appointed Reich Chancellor by President Hindenburg, marking the beginning of the Nazi dictatorship.
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War
Invasion of Poland / start of WWII
On 1 September 1939, Nazi Germany invaded Poland, prompting France and the United Kingdom to declare war and triggering World War II.
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War
Surrender and division of Germany
Germany surrendered unconditionally on 8 May 1945 and was divided into four occupation zones by the Allies, beginning the country's partition.
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Politics
Construction of the Berlin Wall
During the night of 12-13 August 1961, East Germany erected a concrete wall dividing East and West Berlin, a symbol of the Cold War.
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Politics
Fall of the Berlin Wall
On 9 November 1989, under popular pressure, East Germany opened its borders ; thousands of Berliners crossed and demolished the Wall in scenes of widespread joy.
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Politics
German Reunification
On 3 October 1990, the German Democratic Republic (GDR) was dissolved and its five states joined the Federal Republic, reunifying Germany after 45 years of division.