Romans established German frontier along Rhine and Danube. Franks established empire in 5th century, Charlemagne became emperor in 800. Otto the Great defeated Magyars in 955, ending German threat. Holy Roman Empire divided into princely states and bishoprics
First film showing in Berlin in 1894 by Anschütz. German cinema initially focused on upper class audiences. First dedicated cinema opened in Mannheim in 1906. By 1910, over 1000 cinemas operated in Germany
First German federal archive established in Potsdam in 1919. Original archive documented German government from 1411. Almost half of archive's contents destroyed during WWII
Women were excluded from politics, academia, and executive positions. Only Gertrud Scholtz-Klink was allowed to hold an official position. Women were banned from teaching, medical professions, and judicial positions. Women's associations were banned or dissolved, except for one persisted
German Reich was the constitutional name for German nation state from 1871 to 1945. Term "Reich" means "realm" or "territorial reach" in German. Bismarck proclaimed German Reich at Versailles Palace on January 18, 1871
"Das Lied der Deutschen" was written in 1841 by Hoffmann von Fallersleben. Original melody by Haydn was "Kaiserhymne" from 1797. Song gained popularity during Germany's growing nationalism