History of Germany in Timeline
Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a Western and Central European nation bordering nine countries. With over 82 million inhabitants across its sixteen states, it's the most populous EU member. Berlin serves as the capital and largest city, while Frankfurt is the financial hub, and the Ruhr is the largest urban area. It is located between the Baltic and North Seas to the north and the Alps to the south.
1904: Genocide in South West Africa Begins
From 1904, the colonial government in South West Africa (present-day Namibia) carried out the annihilation of the local Herero and Nama peoples as punishment for an uprising; this was the 20th century's first genocide.
1908: Genocide in South West Africa Ends
The genocide of the Herero and Nama peoples in South West Africa (present-day Namibia) by the colonial government concluded in 1908, after beginning in 1904.
1912: Establishment of Babelsberg Studio
In 1912, the renowned Babelsberg Studio in Potsdam was established, thus being the first large-scale film studio in the world.
November 1918: German Revolution
In November 1918, during the German Revolution, Wilhelm II and the ruling princes abdicated their positions, and Germany was declared a federal republic.
August 1919: Weimar Constitution Signed
On August 11, 1919, President Friedrich Ebert signed the democratic Weimar Constitution.
1919: Treaty of Versailles
In 1919, Germany's new leadership signed the Treaty of Versailles, accepting defeat by the Allies. Germany lost around 13% of its European territory and ceded all of its colonial possessions.
1920: Kapp Putsch
In 1920, conservative elements failed to overthrow the central government in the Kapp Putsch.
1924: Economic Stabilization
In 1924, a plan to restructure Germany's war reparations and the creation of a new currency helped stabilize the government and ushered in the Golden Twenties.
1927: Release of Metropolis
Director Fritz Lang's Metropolis, was released in 1927 and is referred to as the first major science-fiction film.
1929: Great Depression Hits Germany
In 1929, the worldwide Great Depression hit Germany.
July 1932: Nazi Party Largest in Reichstag
After the election of July 1932, the Nazi Party led by Adolf Hitler became the largest party in the Reichstag.
January 1933: Hitler Appointed Chancellor
On January 30, 1933, President Hindenburg appointed Adolf Hitler chancellor.
March 1933: Enabling Act Passed
On March 23, 1933, the Enabling Act gave Hitler unrestricted legislative power, overriding the constitution, and marked the beginning of Nazi Germany.
1933: Nazi Rise to Power
In 1933, the Nazi party rose to power in Germany, leading to the establishment of a totalitarian dictatorship, World War II, and the Holocaust.
1935: Nuremberg Laws Introduced
In 1935, the regime withdrew from the Treaty of Versailles and introduced the Nuremberg Laws which targeted Jews and other minorities. Germany also reacquired control of the Saarland in 1935.
1936: Berlin hosted Summer and Winter Olympic Games
In 1936, Berlin hosted the Summer Games and the Winter Games in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
1936: Remilitarization of the Rhineland
In 1936, Germany remilitarized the Rhineland.
March 1939: Occupation of Czechoslovakia
In March 1939, Germany, in violation of the Munich Agreement, occupied Czechoslovakia.
August 1939: Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact
In August 1939, Hitler's government negotiated the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact that divided Eastern Europe into German and Soviet spheres of influence.
1940: Conquest of Denmark, Norway, and Western Europe
In the spring of 1940, Germany conquered Denmark and Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and France, forcing the French government to sign an armistice. The British repelled German air attacks in the Battle of Britain in the same year.
1941: Invasion of Yugoslavia, Greece and the Soviet Union
In 1941, German troops invaded Yugoslavia, Greece and the Soviet Union.
1942: Control of Continental Europe and North Africa
By 1942, Germany and its allies controlled most of continental Europe and North Africa.
1944: Soviets enter Eastern Europe
In 1944, the Soviets pushed into Eastern Europe; the Western allies landed in France and entered Germany despite a final German counteroffensive.
May 1945: German Surrender
Following Hitler's suicide during the Battle of Berlin, Germany signed the surrender document on May 8, 1945, ending World War II in Europe and Nazi Germany.
1945: Post-war period
After 1945, many of the films of the immediate post-war period can be characterised as Trümmerfilm (rubble film).
1948: West Germany Receives Marshall Plan Aid
In 1948, West Germany became a major recipient of reconstruction aid under the American Marshall Plan.
May 1949: Formation of West Germany
On May 23, 1949, the western sectors of Germany, controlled by France, the United Kingdom, and the United States, were merged to form the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), or West Germany.
October 1949: Formation of East Germany
On October 7, 1949, the Soviet Zone became the German Democratic Republic (GDR), or East Germany.
1949: Konrad Adenauer Elected Chancellor
In 1949, Konrad Adenauer was elected the first federal chancellor of Germany.
1949: Division of Germany
In 1949, after World War II and Allied occupation, Germany was organized into two separate polities with limited sovereignty: the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), or West Germany, and the German Democratic Republic (GDR), or East Germany.
1949: Party system dominated by CDU and SPD
Since 1949, the party system in Germany has been dominated by the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD). Every chancellor so far has been a member of one of these parties.
1949: Basic Law (Grundgesetz)
The German political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1949 constitution known as the Grundgesetz (Basic Law).
1951: West Germany Joins EEC
In 1951, the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) became a founding member of the European Economic Community.
1951: Berlin International Film Festival
The Berlin International Film Festival, known as "Berlinale", awarding the "Golden Bear" and held annually since 1951, is one of the world's leading film festivals.
1954: FIFA World Cup Win
The German men's national football team won the FIFA World Cup in 1954.
January 1957: Saarland Joins West Germany
On January 1, 1957, the Saarland joined West Germany.
1961: Construction of the Berlin Wall
In 1961, the Berlin Wall was built, preventing East German citizens from escaping to West Germany, becoming a symbol of the Cold War.
1972: Munich hosted Summer Olympic Games
Munich hosted the Summer Games of 1972.
1972: UEFA European Championship Win
The German men's national football team won the UEFA European Championship in 1972.
1974: FIFA World Cup Win
The German men's national football team won the FIFA World Cup in 1974.
1979: The Tin Drum wins Oscar
In 1979, The Tin Drum (Die Blechtrommel) won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
1980: UEFA European Championship Win
The German men's national football team won the UEFA European Championship in 1980.
1989: Fall of the Iron Curtain
In 1989, Hungary decided to dismantle the Iron Curtain and open its border with Austria, causing the emigration of thousands of East Germans to West Germany via Hungary and Austria.
October 1990: German Reunification
In October 1990, after the fall of the communist led-government in East Germany, German reunification saw the former East German states join the Federal Republic of Germany.
1990: Reduction in primary energy consumption
Between 1990 and 2015, Germany reduced its primary energy consumption by 11%.
1990: German Unity Day
Since 1990, 3 October has been a national day of Germany, celebrated as the Tag der Deutschen Einheit (German Unity Day).
1990: Germany maintains strong alliance with neighboring countries
Since 1990, Germany has maintained a strong alliance with France and all its neighbouring countries.
1990: FIFA World Cup Win
The German men's national football team won the FIFA World Cup in 1990.
1992: Signing of the Maastricht Treaty
In 1992, Germany signed the Maastricht Treaty.
1992: Crime rate at specific level
In 1992, the crime rate in Germany was at a specific level, serving as a reference point for future decreases, as seen in 2018.
1994: Berlin/Bonn Act
Based on the Berlin/Bonn Act in 1994, Berlin again became the capital of Germany, while Bonn obtained the unique status of a Bundesstadt (federal city), retaining some federal ministries.
1994: Definition of "defence" expanded
In 1994, the Federal Constitutional Court ruled that the term "defence" in the Constitution of Germany includes not only the protection of borders but also crisis reaction and conflict prevention.
1996: UEFA European Championship Win
The German men's national football team won the UEFA European Championship in 1996.
1999: Government Relocation Completed
In 1999, the relocation of the German government to Berlin was completed.
2001: Women allowed in all functions of service
Since 2001, women have been allowed to serve in all functions of service without restriction in Germany's military.
2002: Introduction of the euro
In 2002, Germany introduced the common European currency, the euro.
2002: Nowhere in Africa wins Oscar
In 2002, Nowhere in Africa (Nirgendwo in Afrika) won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
2005: Angela Merkel Becomes Chancellor
In the 2005 elections, Angela Merkel became the first female chancellor of Germany.
2005: Germany's R&D expenditure ranking
Since 2005, Germany has consistently ranked fourth in research and development expenditure.
2007: Signing of the Lisbon Treaty
In 2007, Germany signed the Lisbon Treaty.
2007: The Lives of Others wins Oscar
In 2007, The Lives of Others (Das Leben der Anderen) won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
2007: The Left becomes a staple in the German Bundestag
Since 2007, the democratic socialist party The Left has been a staple in the German Bundestag, though they have never been part of the federal government.
2009: Stimulus Plan Approved
In 2009, the German government approved a €50 billion stimulus plan.
2011: Islam as the second-largest religion
In 2011, Islam was reported as the religion of 1.9% of respondents in the census, totaling 1.52 million people. However, the actual figure is deemed unreliable due to a disproportionate number of adherents, including those of Judaism, choosing not to answer the question.
2011: Jewish community representation
In 2011, formal members of the Jewish community represented no more than 0.2% of the total German population, with 60% residing in Berlin. An estimated 80 to 90 percent of these Jews in Germany are Russian-speaking immigrants from the former Soviet Union who came to Germany from the 1980s onwards.
2011: Military service suspended
In 2011, military service, which was previously compulsory for men at age 18, was officially suspended and replaced with a voluntary service in Germany.
2012: Television market size
As of 2012, Germany's television market is the largest in Europe, with over 38 million TV households.
2012: Meat Production in Germany
In 2012 over 99% of all meat produced in Germany was either pork, chicken, or beef.
2013: Healthcare system funding
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Germany's health care system was 77% government-funded and 23% privately funded in 2013.
2013: German beer consumption
German beer consumption per capita stood at 110 litres (24 imp gal; 29 US gal) in 2013 and remains among the highest in the world.
2013: Germany's positive influence
Global opinion polls from the BBC revealed that Germany is recognised for having the most positive influence in the world in 2013.
2013: Germany as a Music Market
In 2013, Germany was the second-largest music market in Europe, and fourth-largest in the world.
2014: Obesity as a major health issue
A 2014 study showed that 52 percent of the adult German population was overweight or obese.
2014: Germany as a leading destination for international study
According to an OECD report in 2014, Germany is the world's third leading destination for international study.
2014: Germany's positive influence
Global opinion polls from the BBC revealed that Germany is recognised for having the most positive influence in the world in 2014.
2014: Healthcare spending
In 2014, Germany spent 11.3% of its GDP on health care.
2014: FIFA World Cup Win
The German men's national football team won the FIFA World Cup in 2014.
2015: Reduction in primary energy consumption
Between 1990 and 2015, Germany reduced its primary energy consumption by 11%.
2015: European Migrant Crisis
During the 2015 European migrant crisis, Germany took in over a million refugees and migrants.
2015: Contribution of travel and tourism to GDP
In 2015, domestic and international travel and tourism combined directly contributed over €105.3 billion to German GDP.
2015: Germany host to second-highest number of international migrants
In 2015, following the 2015 refugee crisis, Germany was listed as host to the second-highest number of international migrants worldwide, about 5% or 12 million of all 244 million migrants.
2016: Land Use Statistics
As of 2016, 51% of Germany's land area is devoted to agriculture, while 30% is forested and 14% is covered by settlements or infrastructure.
2016: Germany's murder rate at a low
In 2016, Germany's murder rate reached a low of 1.18 murders per 100,000.
2017: Germany divided into 401 districts
As of 2017, Germany is divided into 401 districts (Kreise) at a municipal level, consisting of 294 rural districts and 107 urban districts.
2017: Household recycling rate
As of 2017, Germany's household recycling rate was around 65%, among the highest in the world.
2017: Troops stationed in foreign countries
As of 2017, the German military has about 3,600 troops stationed in foreign countries as part of international peacekeeping forces.
2017: Frank-Walter Steinmeier becomes President
In 2017, Frank-Walter Steinmeier became the President of Germany. The president holds the position of head of state, primarily fulfilling representative duties and exercising specific powers.
2017: Germany accounts for 28% of the eurozone economy
In 2017, Germany accounted for 28% of the eurozone economy according to the International Monetary Fund.
2017: Same-sex marriage legalised
In 2017, same-sex marriage was legalized in Germany.
2017: Alternative for Germany gains representation
In the 2017 German federal election, the right-wing populist party Alternative for Germany (AfD) secured sufficient votes to gain representation in the German parliament for the first time.
2017: FIFA Confederations Cup Win
The German men's national football team won the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2017.
2018: Percentage of power from renewable sources
In 2018, Germany met its power demands using 40% renewable sources.
2018: Germany's ranking in science and engineering research papers
In 2018, Germany ranked fourth globally in terms of the number of science and engineering research papers published.
2018: Overall crime rate falls to lowest since 1992
In 2018, the overall crime rate in Germany fell to its lowest level since 1992.
2018: Michelin Guide awards
The 2018 Michelin Guide awarded eleven restaurants in Germany three stars, giving the country a cumulative total of 300 stars.
February 2019: Average Monthly Precipitation
In February 2019, average monthly precipitation in Germany was 30 litres per square metre.
April 2019: Average Monthly Precipitation
In April 2019, average monthly precipitation in Germany was 30 litres per square metre.
June 2019: Average Monthly Temperature and Sunshine
In June 2019, average monthly temperatures in Germany reached a high of 19.8 °C, with 300 hours of sunshine.
November 2019: Average Monthly Sunshine
In November 2019, average monthly hours of sunshine in Germany was 45.
2019: Life expectancy and cause of death
In 2019, Germany ranked 21st in the world in life expectancy with 78.7 years for men and 84.8 years for women according to the WHO. The principal cause of death was cardiovascular disease, at 37%.
2019: Migrants in the country's population
In 2019, Germany ranked seventh among EU countries in terms of the percentage of migrants in the country's population, at 13.1%.
2019: Germany as wine producer
In 2019, Germany was the ninth-largest wine producer in the world.
2019: Germany second-biggest aid donor
In 2019, Germany was the world's second-biggest aid donor after the United States.
2019: Germany's energy consumption ranking
In 2019, Germany was the world's seventh-largest consumer of energy.
2019: Muslim population with migrant background
In 2019, there were an estimated 5.3–5.6 million Muslims with a migrant background, constituting 6.4–6.7% of the population, in addition to an unknown number of Muslims without such a background.
2019: Modernization of East German Economy
The modernisation of the East German economy was scheduled to last until 2019.
January 2020: Average Monthly Temperature
In January 2020, average monthly temperatures in Germany reached a low of 3.3 °C.
January 2020: Unemployment rate
As of January 2020, the unemployment rate published by Eurostat in Germany amounted to 3.2%, the fourth-lowest in the EU.
February 2020: Average Monthly Precipitation
In February 2020, average monthly precipitation in Germany was 125 litres per square metre.
2020: Germany fifth-largest arms exporter
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, from 2020 to 2024, Germany was the fifth-largest exporter of major arms in the world.
2021: German Military Budget
In 2021, Germany's military budget was 53 billion euros.
2022: Largest religion
According to the 2022 census, Christianity is the largest religion at 49.7% of the population.
2022: Migration background in population
In 2022, 23.8 million people in Germany, which is 28.7 percent of the total population, had a migration background.
2022: Fertility rate
In 2022, the fertility rate in Germany was estimated at 1.57 children born per woman, which is below the replacement rate of 2.1.
April 2023: Ukrainian refugees in Germany
As of April 2023, over 1.06 million refugees from Ukraine were recorded in Germany following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.
2023: Population not members of any religious organisation
A study in 2023 estimated that 46.2% of the population are not members of any religious organisation or denomination and that a majority of the population no longer belongs to a Christian denomination (48.5% Christians).
2023: German census
According to the 2023 German census, Germany has a population of 84.7 million.
2023: Nuclear power plants phased out
All German nuclear power plants were phased out in 2023.
2023: Sector contributions to GDP
As of 2023, the service sector contributed approximately 72% of Germany's total GDP, the industrial sector 27%, and the agricultural sector 1%.
2023: German military spending ranks seventh globally
In 2023, German military spending was the seventh-highest in the world in absolute terms. Military spending according to NATO criteria amounted to $73.1 billion, or 1.64% of the country's GDP, well below the NATO target of 2%.
2023: Germany's ranking in the Nature Index
In 2023, Germany ranked third in the quality-adjusted Nature Index.
2023: German automotive industry position
In 2023, the German automotive industry was the sixth-largest by production and largest by export value.
May 2024: Bundeswehr strength
As of May 2024, the Bundeswehr has a strength of 180,215 active soldiers and 80,761 civilians.
2024: Germany seventh-most-visited country
As of 2024, Germany is the seventh-most-visited country.
2024: Germany Exceeds NATO Target
In 2024, Germany reported $97.7 billion to NATO, exceeding the NATO target of 2% at 2.12% of GDP.
2024: PPP-adjusted GDP per capita
In 2024, Germany's PPP-adjusted GDP per capita amounted to 115% of the EU average.
2024: Largest trading partners
In 2024, Germany's largest trading partners were the United States, China, and the Netherlands.
2024: Violent crime reaches a 15-year high
In 2024, it was reported that violent crime in Germany reached a 15-year high, with overall crime rising as well.
2024: Number of German companies on Fortune Global 500
Of the world's 500 largest stock market-listed companies by revenue in 2024, 29 were based in Germany.
2025: UNESCO inscribed properties
As of 2025, UNESCO inscribed 55 properties in Germany on the World Heritage List.
2025: Friedrich Merz becomes Chancellor
In 2025, Friedrich Merz assumed the role of Chancellor, becoming the head of government and exercising executive authority through his Cabinet.
2025: Germany ranked 11th in the Global Innovation Index
In 2025, Germany was ranked 11th in the Global Innovation Index.
2030: Target for reducing primary energy consumption
Germany has set a goal of reducing its primary energy consumption by 30% by 2030.
2050: Climate Change Costs
Climate change in Germany is projected to cost up to €900 billion by 2050.
2050: Target for reducing primary energy consumption
Germany has set a goal of reducing its primary energy consumption by 50% by 2050.
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