The first recorded history of Berlin dates back to 1244 when the two cities became one, known as Berlin, meaning “marshy ground.” During the early 1400’s, Frederick I ruled Berlin for twenty-five years. Berlin achieved status as a free city in 1451. The Thirty Years War began in 1618 and brought drastic changes for Berlin. The city lost most of the population and half of the homes and businesses. When Fredrick William became the Great Elector in 1640, he initiated a strong policy of religious tolerance and opened immigration policies. Berlin flourished over the next few decades and by the late 1600s many Jews found homes in Berlin. With the arrival of the Huguenots in 1685 over 20% of Berlin’s population were French.

In 1701, Berlin became the capital of Prussia and within a few years surrounding cities were incorporated into Berlin. The Industrial Revolution brought dramatic changes to Berlin as the city’s railroad system expanded and the economy flourished. By 1871, Berlin was the much respected capital of the German empire.

Next came dark days for the world. In 1933, Berlin was named the capital of the Third Reich and the Nazi’s had dreams of controlling the entire world. Thousands of Jews were imprisoned in concentration camps and died horrible deaths. During World War II large parts of Berlin were destroyed and eventually the city was occupied by the Red Army. Germany surrendered in 1945 and Berlin was divided. The allies, representing the United States, United Kingdom and France, occupied West Berlin. The Soviet Union controlled East Berlin. Soon growing political differences between the West and the East Allies led to the Berlin Blockade, the economic blockade of West Berlin that lasted until the Berlin Airlift in 1949. By 1986, the Berlin Wall was known as the Death Strip. Anyone attempting to cross between the two sides could be killed. Negotiations failed and war seemed imminent. The tense period of the Cold War continued until negotiations finally succeeded in uniting Germany in 1989 and soon the German government relocated from Bonn to Berlin. Today, Berlin is the political and cultural leader of Germany, a center for higher education and a popular travel destination in Europe.