The Concordat of Worms Ends the Investiture Controversy
On September 23, 1122, the Concordat of Worms ended the Investiture Controversy between the papacy and the Holy Roman Empire.
The Peace of Augsburg Settles Religion in the Holy Roman Empire
On September 25, 1555, the Peace of Augsburg let each German prince choose the religion of his own territory.
The Peace of Westphalia Is Signed
The Peace of Westphalia was signed on October 24, 1648, ending the Thirty Years' War. It established the modern system of sovereign states.
Napoleon Defeats Prussia at Jena and Auerstedt
On October 14, 1806, Napoleon defeated the Prussian army at Jena and Auerstedt, and Prussia collapsed within two weeks.
The First Oktoberfest Is Held in Munich
The first Oktoberfest was held in Munich on October 12, 1810, to celebrate the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria.
Neptune Is Found Where the Mathematics Said It Would Be
On September 23, 1846, Neptune was observed at Berlin within a degree of the position predicted by Le Verrier's mathematics.
Einstein Publishes the Paper That Introduces E=mc2
On September 27, 1905, Einstein's paper on mass and energy was published, introducing the relation E=mc squared.
Germany Leaves the League of Nations
Germany left the League of Nations on October 14, 1933, Hitler's first open break with the Versailles system and the start of rearmament.
Nazi Germany Enacts the Nuremberg Laws
On September 15, 1935, Nazi Germany enacted the Nuremberg Laws, stripping Jews of citizenship and banning mixed marriages.
Britain, France, Germany and Italy Sign the Munich Agreement
On September 29, 1938, the Munich Agreement was signed, handing the Sudetenland to Germany without Czechoslovakia at the table.
Nazi Germany Invalidates Jewish Passports
On October 5, 1938, Nazi Germany invalidated Jewish passports and ordered them stamped with a J.
The First V-2 Rocket Reaches Space
On October 3, 1942, a German V-2 rocket reached 84.5 km, the first man-made object to reach space.
The Nuremberg Tribunal Sentences Nazi Leaders
On October 1, 1946, the Nuremberg tribunal sentenced twelve Nazi leaders to death after the first war crimes trial.
Hermann Goering Takes Poison Before His Execution
Hermann Goering took cyanide in his Nuremberg cell on October 15, 1946, hours before his execution for war crimes.
The Nuremberg Sentences Are Carried Out
Ten Nazi leaders condemned at Nuremberg were hanged on October 16, 1946, the first executions by an international tribunal.
The German Democratic Republic Is Founded in the Soviet Zone
The German Democratic Republic was founded on October 7, 1949, in the Soviet occupation zone, four months after the West German state.
West Germany Joins NATO
West Germany joined NATO on October 22, 1954, rearming a defeated nation. The move deepened the Cold War division of Europe.
Mark Spitz Wins a Seventh Gold Medal at the Munich Olympics
On September 4, 1972, Mark Spitz won his seventh gold medal at the Munich Olympics, a record that stood until Michael Phelps in 2008.
Palestinian Gunmen Attack the Israeli Olympic Team in Munich
On September 5, 1972, Black September gunmen took Israeli athletes hostage at the Munich Olympics, ending in the deaths of all nine hostages.
East and West Germany Are Admitted to the United Nations
On September 18, 1973, East and West Germany both joined the United Nations, 24 years after the two states were founded.