Dortmund, located in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, is a significant city with a rich history. As the ninth-largest city in Germany and the largest in the Ruhr region, it boasts a population exceeding 612,000. Situated on the Emscher and Ruhr rivers, Dortmund is a key administrative, commercial, and cultural hub within the Rhine-Ruhr Metropolitan Region, renowned as the second biggest metropolitan region by GDP in the European Union. Notably, Dortmund holds the distinction of being the second-largest city where the Low German dialect is spoken, surpassed only by Hamburg.
1900: Opening of the Old Synagogue
In 1900, the Old Synagogue opened in Dortmund, one of the largest Jewish houses of worship in Germany.
1904: Dortmund's Population Surpasses 100,000
Fueled by industrial growth, Dortmund's population reached over 100,000 residents for the first time in 1904.
1904: First Opera House Built
In 1904, Dortmund's first opera house was built.
1905: Dortmund's Population Explosion
By 1905, Dortmund's population had surged to 379,950, reflecting its growth as a major industrial center.
1905: Annexation of Municipalities Begins
Starting in 1905, Dortmund began annexing surrounding municipalities, gradually expanding its city limits over several decades.
1920: Resistance to the Kapp Putsch
In 1920, Dortmund became a center of resistance against the Kapp Putsch, a right-wing coup attempt in Germany.
January 1923: Occupation of the Ruhr
In January 1923, French and Belgian troops occupied the Ruhr region of Germany, including Dortmund.
March 1923: Culmination of French-German Confrontation
In March 1923, the French-German confrontation stemming from the Occupation of the Ruhr reached its peak, marking a tense period in Dortmund's history.
1927: City Acquires Rombergpark
Between 1927 and 1929, the city of Dortmund acquired the Romberg family's English landscape park, later to be known as Rombergpark.
1928: Annexation of Hörde
In 1928, the borough of Hörde, known for its own coat of arms, was incorporated into the city of Dortmund.
1929: City Acquires Rombergpark
Between 1927 and 1929, the city of Dortmund acquired the Romberg family's English landscape park, later to be known as Rombergpark.
1933: Steinwache Prison Used for Persecution
Between 1933 and 1945, the Steinwache prison was used to imprison over 66,000 people under Nazi persecution.
1933: Nazi Era Begins
With the rise of the Nazi party in 1933, mayors in Dortmund were appointed by the Nazi regime.
1938: Destruction of the Old Synagogue
In 1938, the Old Synagogue in Dortmund was destroyed under the Nazi regime.
1941: Transfer of Aplerbeck Hospital Patients to Hadamar Killing Facility
In 1941, patients from the Aplerbeck Hospital in Dortmund were transferred to the Hadamar Killing Facility as part of Aktion T4, where they were murdered.
September 1943: Mass Execution of Polish POWs
In September 1943, the Gestapo in Dortmund carried out a mass execution of 17 Polish prisoners of war who had escaped from the Oflag VI-B POW camp.
March 1945: Bombing of Dortmund During the Oil Campaign
In March 1945, Dortmund was heavily bombed as part of the Oil Campaign of World War II, resulting in the destruction of about 66% of homes in the city.
March 1945: Bombing of Dortmund
In March 1945, Dortmund was subjected to devastating bombing raids that destroyed 98% of the buildings in the city center.
April 1945: Allied Ground Advance into Dortmund
In April 1945, Allied forces reached Dortmund and captured the city after intense urban combat.
1945: First Publication of Westfälische Rundschau
The Westfälische Rundschau, another major daily newspaper in Dortmund, was first published in 1945.
1945: Post-War Administration
Following World War II in 1945, the British occupation zone's military government established a new mayor and municipal constitution for Dortmund, inspired by British city models.
1945: Steinwache Prison Used for Persecution
Between 1933 and 1945, the Steinwache prison was used to imprison over 66,000 people under Nazi persecution.
1946: Dortmund Becomes Part of North Rhine-Westphalia
In 1946, Dortmund became part of the new state of North Rhine-Westphalia after being in the British zone of occupation.
1949: Founding of Ruhr Nachrichten Newspaper
The conservative daily newspaper Ruhr Nachrichten (RN) was founded in 1949 in Dortmund.
1950: Rombergpark Rebuilt as Arboretum
Starting in 1950, under the direction of Gerd Krüssmann, Rombergpark was rebuilt as an arboretum after suffering damage in World War II.
1953: Dortmund Zoo Founded
The Dortmund Zoo was founded in 1953.
1959: Westfalenpark Opens
In 1959, Westfalenpark, Dortmund's largest inner-city park, opened as the second Bundesgartenschau (BUGA) in North Rhine-Westphalia.
1965: Population Peaks
Dortmund's population reached its highest point in 1965, with 657,804 residents.
1966: Borussia Dortmund Secures UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
Borussia Dortmund added to their trophy cabinet in 1966 by winning the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, marking a significant achievement in the club's history.
1966: Opernhaus Dortmund Reopens
In 1966, after being destroyed in World War II, the Opernhaus Dortmund reopened.
1968: Founding of TU Dortmund
The Technical University of Dortmund (TU Dortmund) was founded in 1968 in the southern part of the city.
1969: Founding of the LWL-Industriemuseum
In 1969, the LWL-Industriemuseum, dedicated to industrial heritage, was founded in Dortmund.
1971: Merger Creates Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts
The Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts, a Fachhochschule, was established in 1971 through a merger of several higher education institutions.
1974: Westfalenstadion Hosts the FIFA World Cup
Dortmund's Westfalenstadion, a state-of-the-art football stadium, was built in 1974 to host matches for the FIFA World Cup, marking a momentous occasion for the city.
1975: Annexation Concludes, Administrative Districts Established
By 1975, Dortmund completed the annexation of neighboring municipalities. The city was then divided into twelve administrative districts, each with its own council and mayor.
1975: Dortmund as an Independent City
Since 1975, Dortmund has been recognized as one of nineteen independent district-free cities (kreisfreie Städte) in North Rhine-Westphalia, meaning it does not belong to another local government entity or Landkreis.
May 1980: The Dortmund Giants are Founded
On May 22, 1980, the Dortmund Giants American football team was established, adding a new dimension to Dortmund's sporting landscape.
1982: Sparkassen Chess-Meeting Begins in Dortmund
The Sparkassen Chess-Meeting, a prestigious chess tournament, has been hosted in Dortmund since 1982, attracting top players from around the world.
1987: Closure of Minister Stein Coal Mine
In 1987, the Minister Stein coal mine in Dortmund closed, marking the end of over 150 years of coal mining in the city.
1994: Dortmund Giants Reach 2. Bundesliga
In 1994, the Dortmund Giants achieved a significant milestone by reaching the 2. Bundesliga, showcasing their progress in American football.
1997: Dortmund Giants Return to 2. Bundesliga
After a brief hiatus, the Dortmund Giants returned to the 2. Bundesliga in 1997, demonstrating their resilience and determination.
1997: Borussia Dortmund's UEFA Champions League and Intercontinental Cup Victory
In 1997, Borussia Dortmund achieved international acclaim by winning both the UEFA Champions League and the Intercontinental Cup, showcasing their dominance on the world stage.
1999: SPD Loses Plurality
In 1999, the Social Democratic Party (SPD) lost its long-held plurality on the city council, a position they had maintained since the end of World War II.
2001: Dortmund Giants Team Up with Bochum Cadets
In 2001, the Dortmund Giants formed a combined team with the Bochum Cadets, known as the Dortmund B1 Giants, as they competed in the 2. Bundesliga.
2001: Start of Phoenix See Project
In 2001, the Phoenix See project, marking a new era for the Hörde district in Dortmund, began.
2002: Theater Dortmund Incorporates Konzerthaus Dortmund
In 2002, the Konzerthaus Dortmund was incorporated into Theater Dortmund, expanding the organization's venues.
2004: SPD Regains Plurality
By 2004, the SPD regained its plurality on Dortmund's city council.
2005: Laying of the First Cornerstone at Phoenix See
In 2005, the first cornerstone was laid at the Phoenix See development site in Dortmund, symbolizing the start of construction.
2007: Love Parade Moves to Ruhr Area
After negotiations with several German cities, the Love Parade moved to the Ruhr Area for five years, starting in 2007.
2008: Love Parade Held on Bundesstraße 1
In 2008, the Love Parade took place on Bundesstraße 1 under the motto "Highway of Love", attracting an estimated 1.6 million visitors.
2009: Opening of Thier-Galerie Shopping Mall
The year 2009 saw the opening of Thier-Galerie, a new shopping mall in Dortmund, boasting nearly 100 stores and renowned brands like Armani, Adidas, Diesel, and Hollister.
2009: Dortmund Designated as a Node City in Innovation Cities Index
In 2009, the Innovation Cities Index, published by 2thinknow, categorized Dortmund as a Node city.
2009: Goethe-Gymnasium Becomes a NRW Sportschule
In 2009, the Goethe-Gymnasium in Dortmund, established in 1867 as the city's first school to offer higher education for girls, became a NRW Sportschule, specializing in sports.
2009: Dortmund Classified as a Node City
In 2009, Dortmund was recognized as a Node city in the Innovation Cities Index, highlighting its growth as a technology hub.
October 2010: Flooding of Phoenix See
In October 2010, the flooding of Phoenix See, a major urban redevelopment project in Dortmund, began.
2010: Dortmund U-Tower Becomes Center for Creative Economy
In 2010, a former brewery, the Dortmund U-Tower, was transformed into the European Centre for Creative Economy and the Museum am Ostwall.
2010: Museum am Ostwall Relocates to U-Tower
In 2010, the Museum am Ostwall, previously known as Museum am Ostwall, moved to the Dortmund U-Tower.
May 2011: Completion of Phoenix See
In May 2011, the Phoenix See project in Dortmund was completed, transforming a former industrial area into a vibrant waterfront space.
2011: Post-Industrial Population Decline
By 2011, Dortmund's population had decreased to under 580,000 due to the city's post-industrial decline.
2011: Borussia Dortmund Wins Bundesliga Championship
In 2011, Borussia Dortmund won the Bundesliga Championship, solidifying their place as one of the most successful clubs in German football history.
2011: Census Reveals Inaccuracies
The EU-wide census of 2011 exposed significant inaccuracies in German population figures, leading to a statistical population decrease in Dortmund.
2012: Dortmund Ranked Tenth Most Livable Big City in Germany
In 2012, a study focusing on the livability of Germany's largest cities ranked Dortmund tenth, particularly recognizing its sport, gastronomy, and shopping opportunities.
2012: Dortmund's Diverse Population
In 2012, Dortmund had a population of 571,403, with approximately 30% of residents originating from non-German backgrounds.
2012: Love Parade Moves to Ruhr Area
After negotiations with several German cities, the Love Parade moved to the Ruhr Area for five years, ending in 2012.
November 2013: World War II Bomb Defusal
In November 2013, a 4,000-pound unexploded bomb from World War II was discovered and safely defused in Dortmund, requiring the evacuation of over 20,000 people.
2013: Westenhellweg: Germany's Most Frequented Shopping Street
In 2013, Dortmund's Westenhellweg, a pedestrian-only shopping area, earned the title of Germany's most frequented shopping street with nearly 13,000 visitors per hour.
December 2014: Immigrant Demographics
As of December 2014, data highlighted the substantial Turkish, South European, and Slavic communities residing in Dortmund.
2014: Dortmund Acclaimed as Most Sustainable City in Germany
Dortmund received acclaim as the most sustainable city in Germany in 2014.
2014: Dortmund Giants Face Relegation Challenges
The Dortmund Giants faced challenges in 2014, finishing the season without a win and resulting in their relegation to the Oberliga.
2015: FZW Solidifies Reputation as "It Club"
In 2015, with 307 events ranging from concerts to football public viewings, the FZW (Freizeitzentrum West) cemented its status as a prominent club in the Ruhr region.
2015: Dortmund Ranked Seventh Best for Student Life
In a 2015/2016 survey on student life in Germany, Dortmund secured the seventh-best ranking.
2016: Eisadler Dortmund Competes in Oberliga
In the 2016/17 season, Eisadler Dortmund, Dortmund's ice hockey club, competed in the Oberliga, the third level of ice hockey in Germany.
2016: Dortmund Ranked Seventh Best for Student Life
In a 2015/2016 survey on student life in Germany, Dortmund secured the seventh-best ranking.
2016: Dortmund's Population Exceeds 600,000 Again
In 2016, driven by net migration gains and a younger demographic, Dortmund's population surpassed 600,000 once more.
September 2017: The New York Times Recognizes Dortmund's Transformation
In September 2017, The New York Times acknowledged Dortmund's successful adaptation following the decline of its steel and coal industries, highlighting its shift towards high-technology sectors like biomedical technology and micro systems technology, leading to an improved quality of life.
November 2017: Dortmund Ranked Among Most Livable Cities in Germany
In November 2017, a study based on data from various sources, including the German National Statistics Office and Mercer, ranked Dortmund seventh among the most livable cities in Germany for expats.
2017: Tourism Boom in Dortmund
In 2017, tourism in Dortmund experienced rapid growth, leading to record overnight stays, new hotels, and attractions. This followed a period of development that began in the mid-1990s, transforming the former industrial center into a vibrant city with expanded cultural and tourism offerings.
2017: Dortmund: Germany's Eighth Largest City
In 2017, with a population of 601,402, Dortmund was Germany's eighth largest city.
June 2019: Dortmund Hosts German Evangelical Church Assembly
Dortmund hosted the 37th Evangelischer Kirchentag – German Evangelical Church Assembly in June 2019.
September 2020: City Council Election
The most recent city council election in Dortmund was held on September 13, 2020.
September 2020: Mayoral Election
The most recent mayoral election in Dortmund was held on September 13, 2020, with a runoff election taking place on September 27, 2020.
2020: Thomas Westphal Elected Mayor
Thomas Westphal, a member of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), was elected Mayor of Dortmund in 2020.
2022: Dominant Christian Denominations
In 2022, Protestantism and Catholicism were the largest Christian denominations in Dortmund, accounting for 23.7% and 22.6% of the population respectively.