History of Leverkusen in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: February 15, 2026

Leverkusen is a city situated in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, located on the eastern bank of the Rhine River. It shares borders with Cologne to the south and Düsseldorf to the north. Leverkusen is integrated into the Rhine-Ruhr Metropolitan Region, a major urban area in Europe.

1912: Bayer moves headquarters to Wiesdorf

In 1912, the Bayer company moved its headquarters to Wiesdorf.

1930: Quettingen and Lützenkirchen join Opladen

In 1930, Quettingen and Lützenkirchen joined Opladen.

1930: Leverkusen founded

In 1930, the city of Leverkusen was founded by merging Wiesdorf, Schlebusch, Steinbüchel, and Rheindorf, and was posthumously named for Carl Leverkus.

August 1943: Bombing of IG Farben factories by the RAF

In August 1943, specifically on 22 August 1943, the IG Farben factories were bombed by the RAF during the Second World War.

December 1943: Bombing of IG Farben factories

In December 1943, the IG Farben factories were bombed by the USAAF Eighth Air Force on 1 December 1943, and again by the RAF on 10/11 December 1943 during the Second World War.

1975: Leverkusen expands by joining with other towns

In 1975, Opladen (including Quettingen and Lützenkirchen since 1930), Hitdorf and Bergisch Neukirchen joined Leverkusen.

1985: Ostermann-Arena hosts FIBA EuroBasket

In 1985, the Ostermann-Arena (previously known as Wilhelm Dopatka Halle and Smidt-Arena) was one of the host arenas for the FIBA EuroBasket (the official European Basketball Championship).