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Princess Johanna of Hesse and by Rhine

Darmstadt, 20 Sep 1936 – Darmstadt, 14 Jun 1939

8 facts3 sources

Facts and their sources

A life in time

  1. 20 Sep 1936

    Born in Darmstadt

  2. 14 Jun 1939

    Dies in Darmstadt, aged 2

Family

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Parents

During her lifetime

General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.

The 1930s · Princess is born in Darmstadt

In the news1933–1938

Car ownership grew slowly between 1933 and 1938

Motorization remained limited in the 1930s, as the number of cars grew from 0.5 million in 1933 to 1.3 million in 1938, yet there were still only 19 cars for every 1,000 inhabitants.

Getting around

Record-breaking train journey times

The futuristic Schienenzeppelin train set a world record by traveling from Hamburg to Berlin in only 1 hour and 38 minutes.

At the table

Daily shopping and dishwashing routines

Because food could not be kept fresh without refrigerators, working-class housewives shopped daily for small amounts, spending at least an hour each day comparing prices. Dishes were washed in two basins pulled from under the kitchen table, using soda instead of soap and drying them with care, as there was no running warm water.

The Second World War. The deadliest war in history, from 1939 to 1945: some 70 million people died. Brazil sent 25,000 soldiers to fight in Italy.Around the world · 1939–1945

The Second World War. The deadliest war in history, from 1939 to 1945: some 70 million people died. Brazil sent 25,000 soldiers to fight in Italy.

Chief Photographer's Mate (CPHoM) Robert F. Sargent · public domain

What people wore

Functional fashions replaced the corset

In the 1920s, the corset fell out of fashion, replaced by functional dresses without emphasized waists and shorter hemlines ranging from knee to calf length. Women often used foundation garments like hip-shaping belts to achieve the modern silhouette.

Music

Popular singing and songs

Singing was a popular pastime, with groups like the Comedian Harmonists rising to fame and children frequently singing songs like Three Chinese with the Double Bass.

Daily life

Modern Apartments with Running Water

New public housing apartments offered improved living conditions with central heating, built-in kitchens, and private bathrooms featuring hot and cold running water. Such modern units were rare and highly sought after, with some families waiting years on urgent priority lists to secure them.