In the news1883
First national health insurance introduced
Germany became the first country to introduce a national social insurance system with the approval of a worker's health insurance plan.
Potsdam, 14 Jul 1884 – La Tour-de-Peilz, 22 Sep 1948
7 facts1 source
14 Jul 1884
Born in Potsdam
22 Sep 1948
Dies in La Tour-de-Peilz, aged 64
He lived through 7 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Potsdam.
General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.
In the news1883
Germany became the first country to introduce a national social insurance system with the approval of a worker's health insurance plan.
What people wore
Rural and urban wedding attire customs
In rural areas, brides traditionally wore black dresses that could be reused for other festive occasions, while white wedding dresses became popular in cities late in the century. Brides traditionally wore a white veil with a myrtle wreath as a symbol of virginity.
Getting around
Steamship travel on the Weser River
By the late 19th century, steamships on the Weser river were a popular tourist attraction, with the upstream journey from Hamelin to Münden taking 15 hours and 30 minutes, and the downstream journey taking 8 hours and 29 minutes.
Around the world · 1879–1882Electric light. Edison’s light bulb and his first power stations, in New York and London, began to light cities with electricity.
In the news1886
In 1886, industrialist Julius Maggi began producing his ready-made soups to address the poor nutrition of factory workers during the Industrial Revolution.
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.