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Key Dates and Events in the History of Munich |
| 10/11th century |
On the banks of the Isar, monks from Tegernsee Abbey establish a settlement called "Munichen" (the name derives from the German word for monks, "Mönche"). The municipal coat-of-arms recalls the city's monastic origins. |
| 1158 |
Founding of the city by the Guelph, Henry the Lion. This duke destroys the Bishop of Freising's toll bridge over the Isar and establishes a town market and mint. First city fortification. |
| 1180 |
After the expulsion of Henry the Lion, Bavaria becomes part of the territory controlled by the Wittelsbachs. |
| 1255 |
Munich becomes the main residence of the Wittelsbachs. |
| 1314-1347 |
Reign of Ludwig IV ("the Bavarian"), who is made Holy Roman Emperor in 1328. Munich becomes the imperial capital and, 1340, is granted city privileges. Construction of the second defensive ring wall. |
| 1467-1508 |
Under the rule of Albrecht IV (called "the Wise"), the city enjoys a high point in Gothic culture with artists such as Grasser and Polack. |
| 1505 |
Munich becomes the capital of united Bavaria. |
| 1550-1579 |
Duke Albrecht V supports the Counter Reformation. Building of the Antiquarium in the Residence. |
| 1609 |
Setting up of the Catholic League. |
| 1618-1648 |
Thirty Years War. |
| 1632 |
Occupation of Munich by Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden (Gustav II Adolf) |
| 1634 |
The plague results in 7 000 deaths - one-third of the city's population. |
| 1651-1679 |
Under Elector Ferdinand Maria, start of the construction of the Theatiner Church. |
| 1679-1726 |
Prince Elector Max II Emanuel. After triumphs over the Turks, a change of political fortunes leads to the occupation of Munich by Austrian troops in 1705-1714 as a consequence of the War of Spanish Succession. A peasant rising against the occupation forces is brutally suppressed ("Sendlinger Christmas Massacre" with the famous figure, the "Smith of Kochel"). During this Elector's reign, extension of Nymphenburg Castle and Schleissheim Castle. |
| 1777-1799 |
Prince Elector Karl Theodor. Union of Bavaria and the Palatinate (Phalz). |
| 1799-1825 |
Prince Elector Max IV Joseph (after 1806, King Max 1). |
| 1800 |
Occupation by French troops of the Revolutionary Army. |
| 1806 |
Bavaria becomes a kingdom. |
| 1810 |
A horse race on the occasion of the wedding of the Crown Prince begins the tradition of the Oktoberfest. |
| 1818 |
Bavaria receives its first constitution. |
| 1825-48 |
Under Ludwig I, Munich becomes the "Athens of the Isar". Extension of the Residence, construction of Ludwigstraße and Königplatz. |
| 1826 |
Munich becomes a university city. |
| 1846 |
Munich's population reaches 100 000. |
| 1848 |
The "March Uprising" leads to political unrest throughout Germany. First German parliament meets in the Paulskirche in Frankfurt. |
| 1848-1864 |
King Max II |
| 1886-1912 |
"Prince Regency" under Luitpold |
| 1918 |
November Revolution under the leadership of Kurt Eisner. Flight of King Ludwig III and proclamation of the Free State of Bavaria. |
| 1919 |
The communist soviet republic (Räterepublik) is brutally crushed by troops of the Reichswehr. |
| 1923 |
Failure of Hitler's Beer Hall Putsch. |
| 1933 |
Construction of the concentration camp in Dachau. |
| 1939 |
Abortive attempt by Georg Elsner to assassinate Hitler in the Bürgerbräukeller. |
| 1943 |
Execution of the Scholls, the leaders of the resistance group, the "White Rose". |
| 1945 |
After the Second World War, the city is a scene of devastation, with nearly half of its buildings destroyed. A remarkable rebuilding effort (nicknamed "Rama Dama") begins under Mayor Thomas Wimmer. Not only are almost all of the city's historic buildings rebuilt, but also many new suburbs are added. |
| 1946 |
New Bavarian constitution. Munich becomes the capital of the Free State of Bavaria. |
| 1957 |
Munich's population reaches 1 million. |
| 1966-1972 |
Construction of the city's subway and streetcar network. |
| 1972 |
The 20th Summer Olympic Games are held in Munich. Arabian terrorists hold members of the Israeli team hostage in the Olympic village. The rescue attempt ends with bloodshed and tragedy. |
| 1980 |
A bomb attack during the Oktoberfest claims 12 lives. |
| 1981 |
Opening of the Neue Pinakothek. |
| 1985 |
Opening of the Gasteig Arts Center. |
| 1992 |
World Economic Summit Meeting in Munich. Opening of the Franz Josef Strauß Airport. |
| 1993 |
Completion of the Bavarian State Chancellery buildings. |
