In the news1871
The German Empire is proclaimed
The German Empire was proclaimed in 1871, uniting various states under Kaiser Wilhelm I.
Neuwied, 27 Jun 1872 – Neuwied, 18 Jun 1945
9 facts2 sources
27 Jun 1872
Born in Neuwied
18 Jun 1945
Dies in Neuwied, aged 72
He lived through 8 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Neuwied.
General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.
In the news1871
The German Empire was proclaimed in 1871, uniting various states under Kaiser Wilhelm I.
What people wore
Children often lacked footwear in Pomerania
Poorer children often lacked proper footwear, sometimes going barefoot from early summer to late fall. On Sundays, they might wear worn-out boots bought from junk dealers for 1.2 to 1.5 marks.
Getting around
Costly travel between Prussian villages
While railways connected major cities, travel between Prussian villages often required hiring traps, which could cost more for a short trip than a full railway journey between cities like Berlin and Dresden.
In Europe · 1870–1871The Franco-Prussian War and a united Germany. Prussia defeated France, and the German Empire was proclaimed in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles.
In the news1873
The Panic of 1873 began with a stock market crash, triggering a period of economic hardship known as the Great Depression.
Music
Singing was a common group leisure activity
People often sang together after work or during leisure time, such as when farm workers returned home with their tools or during Sunday afternoon strolls.
Daily life
Compulsory schooling and kindergarten costs
Children were required to attend school from ages six to fourteen, often carrying books in long tin satchels. In model kindergartens, families could pay fees between sixpence and three shillings a month for care and meals.