In the news1857
1857 Freedom of Trade Act passed
The 1857 Freedom of Trade Act abolished the trade monopolies of market towns and guilds, allowing open competition in industry.
Bernstorff Palace, 27 Oct 1858 – Copenhagen, 14 Jan 1939
8 facts3 sources
27 Oct 1858
Born in Bernstorff Palace
1887–1895
5 children are born
14 Jan 1939
Dies in Copenhagen, aged 80
He lived through 9 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Bernstorff Palace.
General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.
In the news1857
The 1857 Freedom of Trade Act abolished the trade monopolies of market towns and guilds, allowing open competition in industry.
What people wore
Complex tailoring of men's shirts
A traditional Danish man's shirt was often constructed from 15 separate pieces of linen, which were carefully cut from a single piece of fabric to minimize waste and costs.
Getting around
Faster travel between Odense and Svendborg
Before the railway, a stagecoach trip from Odense to Svendborg (47 km) took 5½ hours, but the train reduced this to 95-100 minutes.
In Europe · 1859–1871Italy is unified. Garibaldi, Cavour and Victor Emmanuel joined the Italian states into one kingdom, with Rome its capital from 1871.
In the news1853
A devastating cholera epidemic in 1853 killed 5,000 people in Copenhagen, prompting major improvements in urban sanitation and water supplies.
Music
Wedding dances and lively music traditions
During 19th-century weddings, musicians played for dancers from the afternoon until the following morning. Traditional chain dances were common, and musicians were often paid by passing a plate around, sometimes playfully involving items like a wooden shoe to prompt guests to contribute more.
Daily life
Mandatory schooling for all children
A national law passed in 1814 required all children to attend school from age seven until confirmation at age 14, often studying on alternating days to allow time for chores.