In the news1846–1847
Hunger crisis of 1846-1847
A severe potato blight caused a major hunger crisis across Europe, leading to unrest in Prussian markets and bakeries.
19 May 1848 – 29 Dec 1928
7 facts1 source
19 May 1848
Born
29 Dec 1928
Dies, aged 80
He lived through 9 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like.
General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.
In the news1846–1847
A severe potato blight caused a major hunger crisis across Europe, leading to unrest in Prussian markets and bakeries.
What people wore
Saving fabric with the Magsachte patch
Women saved money on expensive fabric by sewing a hidden patch of coarser linen, called a Magsachte, onto their dresses where it would be covered by an apron.
Getting around
Faster express coaches were costly
The introduction of the "Diligence" or express post coach in 1821 allowed for faster travel at speeds of around 10 km/h, making trips of 100 km possible in a single day. However, travel remained expensive, with a short trip from Berlin to Magdeburg costing four talers, nearly a schoolteacher's monthly salary.
In Europe · 1848The Revolutions of 1848. Uprisings spread from Paris to Vienna, Berlin and Milan; most were put down, but serfdom ended in Austria.
In the news1842
Prussia introduced new laws enabling greater freedom of movement and settlement for individuals not dependent on public relief.
Music
Daily castle tower music in Königsberg
City tower musicians performed chorales daily from Königsberg's castle tower, such as 'Ich weiß mein Gott, daß all mein Tun' at 11 am and 'Nun ruhen alle Wälder' at 9 pm.
Daily life
Child labor and rudimentary schooling conditions
Children in rural areas were often tasked with labor, such as preparing and binding daily bundles of fuel for the household fire, a chore that frequently left their hands bleeding. Schooling was frequently held in the teacher's house, where the teacher was often a poorly paid local craftsman.