In the news1871
The German Empire is proclaimed
The German Empire was proclaimed in 1871, uniting various states under Kaiser Wilhelm I.
23 Dec 1875 – 22 Mar 1924
7 facts1 source
23 Dec 1875
Born
22 Mar 1924
Dies, aged 48
He lived through 6 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 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 in Prussian villages
In 1870, travelers between Prussian villages often relied on hired traps driven by resentful locals, who might charge more for a short ride between hamlets than a full five-hour railway journey from Berlin to Dresden.
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 news1873
The Panic of 1873 began with a stock market crash, triggering a period of economic hardship known as the Great Depression.
Music
Growth of amateur music societies
Community music-making was popular among the rising middle class, leading to the widespread founding of singing societies and amateur orchestras.
Daily life
Compulsory primary education was six hours daily
Children attended primary school for six hours daily, often sitting four to a bench; primary education became free of charge in 1891.