Leverkusen is a German city located in North Rhine-Westphalia, situated on the Rhine's eastern bank. It shares its southern border with Cologne and its northern border with Düsseldorf, the state capital. The city is an integral part of the Rhine-Ruhr Metropolitan Region, known as one of Europe's most extensive urban areas.
1912: Bayer Relocates Headquarters
The Bayer company moved its headquarters to Wiesdorf, marking a significant step in the town's development and Bayer's growing influence in the area.
1930: Formation of Leverkusen
The city of Leverkusen was officially founded, merging the towns of Wiesdorf, Schlebusch, Steinbüchel, and Rheindorf. The new city was named after Carl Leverkus, the chemist who established the initial dye factory.
1930: Incorporation of Quettingen and Lützenkirchen into Opladen
The villages of Quettingen and Lützenkirchen were incorporated into the town of Opladen, several decades before Opladen itself became part of Leverkusen.
August 1943: First Bombing of IG Farben Factories
The IG Farben factories, a key part of Leverkusen's industry, were bombed for the first time during World War II by the British Royal Air Force (RAF).
December 1943: Repeated Bombings of IG Farben Factories
Throughout December 1943, the IG Farben factories were subjected to further bombing raids by both the RAF and the USAAF Eighth Air Force, underscoring the strategic importance of the city's industrial facilities during the war.
1975: Expansion of Leverkusen
Leverkusen underwent a significant expansion, incorporating the towns of Opladen (including Quettingen and Lützenkirchen, which had been part of Opladen since 1930), Hitdorf, and Bergisch Neukirchen. This move consolidated the various villages into the larger city of Leverkusen, contributing to its present form.
1985: Ostermann-Arena Hosts FIBA EuroBasket
The Ostermann-Arena, then known as the Wilhelm Dopatka Halle, served as one of the host arenas for the prestigious FIBA EuroBasket 1985, the official European Basketball Championship. This event showcased Leverkusen as a venue for international sporting competitions.
2015: Uwe Richrath Elected Mayor
Uwe Richrath of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) was first elected as the Mayor of Leverkusen, beginning his tenure as the city's leader.
2019: Bayer Giants Leverkusen in ProA League
The Bayer Giants Leverkusen, the city's esteemed basketball team and holder of the German record for national basketball championships, competed in the German ProA league. The team's home games were hosted at the Ostermann-Arena.
September 2020: Mayoral Re-Election
Incumbent Mayor Uwe Richrath of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) was re-elected in a runoff election. Richrath had previously been elected in 2015, and his re-election in 2020 secured his position for another term.
September 2020: City Council Election
The most recent election for the Leverkusen city council took place, shaping the composition of the city's governing body that works alongside the mayor.
July 2021: Chempark Explosion
A major explosion occurred at the Chempark industrial site in Leverkusen, resulting in the tragic loss of 7 lives and injuring 31 others. This incident highlighted the potential dangers associated with the city's chemical industry.
2023: Bayer 04 Leverkusen's First Bundesliga Title
The city's prominent football team, Bayer 04 Leverkusen, achieved a historic victory by winning its first Bundesliga title in the 2023–24 season. This win solidified Leverkusen's status as a football powerhouse in Germany.