In the news1871
The German Empire is proclaimed
The German Empire was proclaimed in 1871, uniting various states under Kaiser Wilhelm I.
Also known as Mossy (nickname)
Potsdam, 22 Apr 1872 – Schönberg, 22 Jan 1954
10 facts3 sources
22 Apr 1872
Born in Potsdam
1893–1901
6 children are born
22 Jan 1954
Dies in Schönberg, aged 81
She lived through 9 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 news1871
The German Empire was proclaimed in 1871, uniting various states under Kaiser Wilhelm I.
What people wore
Creative Sewing to Save Fabric
To save money on expensive fabrics, rural women often sewed a piece of linen into the hidden parts of their dresses that were covered by an apron, a practice known as Magsachte.
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
Diverse musical repertoires in cities
Musical life was diverse, blending folk music and rustic dances with military band repertoires that featured marches, operetta tunes, and original works.
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.