Germanic tribes move into northern Germany

Germanic tribes begin to fight against the Roman Empire

Much of the region is conquered by Julius Caesar and the Roman Empire during the Gallic Wars

German Goth Odoacer becomes King of Italy signaling an end to the Western Roman Empire

The King of the Franks, Chlothar I, took control of much of Germany

Charlemagne is crowned the Holy Roman Emperor. He is considered the father of the German monarchy

The Treaty of Verdun divides the Frankish empire into three separate regions including East Francia, which would later become the Kingdom of Germany

Otto I is crowned King of Germany. The Holy Roman Empire is centered in Germany

The Teutonic Knights are formed

Emperor Frederick II dies and Germany becomes a number of independent territories

The Hanseatic League, a powerful group of merchant guilds, is established

The Teutonic Knights are defeated by the Polish at the Battle of Grunwald

Johannes Gutenberg first prints the Gutenberg Bible. His printing press will change the history of Europe

Martin Luther publishes his 95 Thesis which marks the beginning of the Protestant Reformation

German peasants revolt against the aristocracy

The Thirty Years' War begins. It is fought largely in Germany

The Thirty Years' War comes to an end with the Treaty of Westphalia and Treaty of Munster

Frederick I becomes the king of Prussia

Frederick the Great becomes king. He expands the German Empire and supports the sciences, arts, and industry

The Seven Years' War begins. Germany allies with Britain against France, Austria, and Russia. Germany and Britain win

Famous composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is born

The French Empire under Napoleon conquers much of Germany

Ludwig van Beethoven's Fifth Symphony is first performed

German writers the Brothers Grimm publish their first collection of folk tales

Napoleon is defeated at the Battle of Leipzig in Germany

German philosopher Karl Marx publishes The Communist Manifesto which would be the basis for Marxism and communism

Otto von Bismarck is elected Prime Minister of Prussia

Germany defeats France in the Franco-Prussian War. The German states are unified and the national parliament, called the Reichstag, is established

The Triple Alliance is formed between Germany, Austria, and Italy

World War I begins. Germany is part of the Central Powers with Austria and the Ottoman Empire. Germany invades France and Russia

World War I ends and Germany is defeated

The Treaty of Versailles is signed forcing Germany to pay reparations and give up territory

Adolf Hitler becomes Chancellor of Germany

Hitler declares himself Fuhrer

World War II begins when Germany invades Poland. Germany is part of the Axis alliance including Germany, Italy, and Japan

Germany conquers much of Europe

Germany declares war against the United States after Pearl Harbor

World War II in Europe ends when the German army surrenders to the Allies

The Berlin Blockade occurs

Germany is split into East and West Germany

The Berlin Wall is built

East and West Germany both join the United Nations

The Berlin Wall is torn down

Germany is reunified into a single country

Berlin is named the capital of the new unified country

The Euro replaces the Deutsche Mark as the official currency

Angela Merkel is elected as the first woman Chancellor of Germany