History of the city of Berlin

At the end of the 12th century, the city emerged from the two merchant settlements Berlin and Cölln, located on both sides of the Spree river in what is now the Mitte borough.  more

Administration and control of the Mark is given to the Burgrave of Nuremberg, the Hohenzollern Friedrich VI, initiating 500 years of Hohenzollern rule in Berlin.  more

On 18 January 1701 in Königsberg, the elector Friedrich III has himself crowned Friedrich I, King in Prussia. Berlin becomes the royal residence.  more

Berlin becomes the capital of the German Reich. This boost in political status, industrialization, and the economic boom of the next few decades give rise to many new businesses in the city. Berlin becomes the empire’s political, economic, and scientific capital.  more

The Social Democratic politician Philipp Scheidemann proclaims the “German Republic” from a window of the Reichstag on 9 November 1918. The Social Democrat Friedrich Ebert becomes chancellor.  more

Adolf Hitler's "seizure of power" leads to the National Socialists coming to power and the end of democracy in Germany and Berlin.  more

The Berlin garrison capitulates on May 2, six days before the end of the Second World War in Europe. Large parts of the city are in ruins.  more

The initialing of the Berlin agreement on September 3 makes possible a number of practical arrangements benefiting the people.  more

On 11 January, the House of Representatives elects the first all-Berlin Senate. In Bonn, the German Bundestag decides on 20 June to move the seat of government and parliament to the capital Berlin.  more

On 26 June 1963, then US President John F. Kennedy visited West Berlin to mark the 15th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift.  more

Berlin's top museums with adresses, informations, opening hours and public transport.  more