The History
| 794 | In a Deed of Gift by Karl the Great the name of Franconovurd is mentioned for the first time in a written document. |
| 855 | The first Royal Elections are taking place in Frankfurt: Lothar II. is being elected King of Lorraine. Until the year 1792 36 regents are being elected in Frankfurt and the people are witness to 10 coronations. |
| 1240 | Emperor Friedrich II. issues a "Letter of Safe-Conduct" under which he grants protection to travellers to the Frankfurt Trade Fair |
| 1330 | Emperor Ludwig the Bavarian grants Frankfurt the right to hold a second fair - aside from the traditional Autumn Fair - in spring. The Free City of Frankfurt is developing into a Tradefair Metropolis. |
| 1356 | In the "Golden Bull" Emperor Karl IV. announces Frankfurt to be the electoral site of the german Kings |
| 1372 | Karl IV sells the "Office of Mayor" to the city. Therefore, Frankfurt now being a "Free City of the Holy Roman Empire of German Nations" is subservient only to the King |
| 1402 | The opening of the first exchange office commences the banking business in Frankfurt |
| 1405 | The city purchases two buildings, the "Römer" and the "Goldener Schwan" and has them rebuilt to suit as City Hall. On the upper floor galarooms are being set up for the Royal Elections (Kaisersaal) |
| 1480 | The first Frankfurt Book Fair is taking place - like all fairs at that time - on teh Römerberg (Roman Hill). |
| 1530 | The art of printing and letterpress is settling in Frankfurt. During the second half of the 16th century Frankfurt develops into the most important location regarding the printing business of the german empire and one of the largest book centers of Europe |
| 1562 | Emperor Maximilian II is being elected King and crowned in Frankfurt. By this choice Frankfurt replaces Aachen as the location of royal coronations of the german Emperors. |
| 1585 | The year marks the birth of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange: Merchants are comparing the value of currencies at the Fall Fair. A first official stock quote is being published. |
| 1614 | The "Fettmilch-Rebellion": The despotic rule of the Patricians provokes the rebellion of workmen guilds led by Vincenz Fettmilch |
| 1749 | The birth of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe |
| 1759 | During the Seven-Year-War (1756-1763) Frankfurt is being occupied by french troops. It is the first, yet not the last time, occupation by alien forces for the city. |
| 1806 | Franz II - last Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire of German Nations - renounces the iimperial crown. Napoleon announces Prince Karl of Dalberg as representative and declares Frankfurt Grand duchy. The city loses her privileges of a free imperial city. |
| 1815/16 | Since Napoleon’s defeat at Leipzig (1813), Frankfurt once again is a Free City. At the congress of Vienna the "German Alliance" is agreed upon, which Frankfurt enters into. |
| 1820 | The first share is traded at the Frankfurt Stock Exchange |
| 1833 | Out of protest against the politics of the lower house of parliament, students are storming the guard-houses all over the city. |
| 1848 | The first prewar german National Assembly conferences at St. Paul’s Cathedrale. The first all-german parliament elaborates over and passes the german fundamental rights and constitution of the Reich, but both fail at the opposition of the aristocracy. |
| 1871 | The "Peace of Frankfurt": after the war against France, teh preliminary peace agreement of Versailles is signed and sealed at the Hotel "Zum Schwan". |
| 1877 | With the incorporation of Bornheim, the expansion of Frankfurt in the 19th century begins and with the construction of the Palm Garden, Opera, Trainstation and the West Port, Frankfurt develops into a modern city of industry and commerce. |
| 1909 | "A totally new and never before seen work of art!" is being inaugurated: The International Exhibition of Aeronautics. |
| 1914 | Endeavors of the Lord Mayor Dr. Franz Adickes and the socialist Wilhelm Merton lead to the opening of the first german University by endowment in Frankfurt. In 1932 it is named after Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. |
| 1927/28 | The native Frankfurt architect Ernst May builds the first german grand settlement, the "Römerstadt". The Römerstadt went into architectural history as the "Frankfurt Example". |
| 1933 | The National Socialists assume power at City Hall. |
| 1936 | Instead of the non-expandable Airfield "Rebstock" a new Airport is built. During the years to come, the Rhein-Main-Airport becomes the turntable of international airtraffic. |
| 1938 | The synagogues in Frankfurt are set ablaze during Reichskristallnacht |
| 1943/44 | Downtown Frankfurt and teh medieval city center are nearly destroyed during airstrikes |
| 1945 | At the end of March american troops are occupying the city |
| 1946 | The Social-Democratic Party wins the first municipal elections. Walter Kolb becomes Lord Mayor. |
| 1948 | By order of the military regime, the Bank Deutscher Länder prepares for a monetary reform |
| 1949 | Frankfurt loses the election for national capitol to Bonn by a close vote. The Book Fair reopens its doors. Frankfurt - traditionally a location for industry and commerce - develops into a european metropolis of economy in post-war Germany |
| 1957 | The Federal Bank commences business in Frankfurt, being the successor of the Bank Deutscher Länder, which had been a provisional institution after 1948. The city takes the leading role in Germany as an international banking and Stock Exchange location. |
| 1960 | Lyon, France, becomes Frankfurt’s first partner city |
| 1972 | President Dr. Gustav Heinemann opens the new terminal at Frankfurt’s Rhein-Main-Airport. It is the largest passenger arrival hall in Europe. |
| 1977 | With Lord Mayor Walter Wallmann the construction of the "Museumsufer" along the embankment of the river Main is being realized. Between the Friedensbrücke (Peace Bridge) and the Eiserne Steg (Iron Footbridge) alone 8 significant museums found a home. |
| 1988 | At the height of appr. 840 ft the Exhibition Tower symbolizes teh economic strength of Frankfurt. Together with post-modern High-Rises of banks and companies the tower characterizes the town-features of the city. |
| 1991 | The parliament passes the resolution to keep the seat of the Federal Bank in Frankfurt |
| 1994 | The European Currency Institute, predecessor of the European Central Bank, settles in Frankfurt. Another terminalcomplex, Terminal II, is being opened at the airport to server millions of passengers (a total of 40Mil in 1997) |
| 1995 | Lord Mayor Andreas von Schoeler is being voted out of office. The direct elections for teh office - held in that form for the very first time is won by Petra Roth of the Christian Democratic Party who will hold the office of Lord Mayor at least until the year 2001 |
| 1997 | Europe is voting in Frankfurt, german and citizens of other memberstates of the European Community participate in municipal elections. The new Commerzbank-SkyScraper is finished and with roughly 984 ft in height the tallest office building in Europe. |
| 1998 | With establishing the Member States of the European Monetary Union the European Central Bank is founded in Frankfurt |
© 1998 murmelmaus@gmx.net
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