Kiel

:This article is about the city in Germany. There is also Kiel, Wisconsin in the United States of America.

History

Kiel was originally founded in 1233 as tom Kyle by Count Adolf IV of Schauenburg, and granted town rights (Lübisches Stadtrecht) in 1242 by Adolf's eldest son, Johann I. Kiel was a member of the Hanseatic League from 1284 until it was evicted in 1518. In 1431, the Kieler Umschlag was first held, which became the central market for goods and money in Schleswig-Holstein until it began to lose significance from 1850 on, being held for the last time in 1900. Kiel's university, the Christian-Albrechts-Universität, was founded on September 29 1665 by Christian Albrecht, duke of Gottorf. A number of important scholars, including Theodor Mommsen and Max Planck, studied or taught there.

Related Topics:
1233 - Adolf IV of Schauenburg - 1242 - Johann I - Hanseatic League - 1284 - 1518 - 1431 - 1850 - 1900 - Christian-Albrechts-Universität - September 29 - 1665 - Christian Albrecht - Gottorf - Theodor Mommsen - Max Planck

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From 1773-1864, the town belonged to the King of Denmark. However, because the king ruled Holstein as a fief of the Holy Roman Empire only through a personal union, the town was not incorporated as part of Denmark proper. Even though the Empire was abolished in 1805, the Danish king continued to rule Kiel only through his position as Duke of Holstein.

Related Topics:
1773 - 1864 - Denmark - Holy Roman Empire - Personal union - 1805

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During the Second War of Schleswig in 1864, Kiel and the rest of Schleswig and Holstein were conquered by an alliance of the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia. After the war Kiel was briefly administered by both the Austrians and the Prussians, but the Austro-Prussian War in 1866 led to the annexation of Kiel by Prussia in 1867. On 24 March, 1865 the Prussian king William I based Prussia's Baltic Sea fleet out of Kiel instead of Danzig (Gda?sk). When King William I of Prussia became Kaiser William I of the German Empire in 1871, he designated Kiel and Wilhelmshaven as Reichskrieghafen, or "Imperial War Harbours."

Related Topics:
Second War of Schleswig - 1864 - Austrian Empire - Kingdom of Prussia - Austro-Prussian War - 1866 - 1867 - 24 March - 1865 - Gda?sk - Kaiser William I - German Empire - 1871 - Wilhelmshaven

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Because of its new role as Germany's main naval base, Kiel quickly increased in size in the following years, from 18,770 in 1864 to about 200,000 in 1910. Much of the old town center and other surroundings were leveled and redeveloped to provide for the growing city. Kiel was the site of the sailors' mutiny which sparked the German Revolution in late 1918.

Related Topics:
1864 - 1910 - German Revolution - 1918

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Because of its status as a naval port, Kiel was heavily bombed by the Allies during World War II; it is estimated that 80% of the remaining old town, 72% of the residential areas, and 83% of the industrial areas were destroyed.

Related Topics:
Allies - World War II

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In 1946, Kiel was named the seat of government for Schleswig-Holstein, and it officially became the state's capital in 1972. The Kieler Umschlag has been held again yearly since 1975. It is now a festival with music and food stalls, historical costumes, special bread, and a wedding, the Umschlagshochzeit, for which every young bride and groom can apply. But above all, Kiel is most famous for its Kieler Woche sailing festival held annually in June.

Related Topics:
1946 - 1972 - 1975

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