Berlin is Germany's capital and largest city. It has a population of about three million and is one of Europe's great cultural, political, and economic centers. Berlin developed as a trading village about A.D. 1200. Overtime, its location at the junction of the Spree and Havel rivers—a trading crossroads—helped to establish its importance. In the 1600's, Berlin became the capital of Prussia, an emerging German state. Two centuries later, in 1871, Berlin became the capital of the new nation of Germany. Berlin's darkest period began with the rise to power in Germany of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party in 1933. During World War II (1939-1945), Germany and other Axis powers fought the Allies, which included Britain, France, the Soviet Union, and the United States. Berlin was wrecked by Allied bombs and the Soviet Army. After Germany's defeat in 1945, the victorious Allies divided the nation into two sectors (districts), Communist East Germany and non-Communist West Germany. On August 13, 1961, east German police began building a wall of concrete and barbed wire to divide the two parts of the city. In 1989, the East German government collapsed and the Berlin Wall was knocked down, symbolizing the end of the Cold War. In 1990, East and West Germany reunited, and the two Berlins merged to become one city. Berlin became the official capital of united Germany. The population of Berlin has grown rapidly since the end of World War II, when it had dropped to only 2,300,000. Since the unification of the two Germanys, hundreds of thousands of newcomers have poured into the city. About 75% of Berliners are Protestant, mostly Lutheran. Roman Catholics make up about 10% of the population. Berlin began printing the Marian stamps in 1955. * Taken from The World Book Encyclopedia. (Chicago: World Book, Inc.), pg 175.
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St-Hedwige Cathedral and
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Madonna - Berlin Museum La Madone - Musée de Berlin Date: 1967; Scott: 9N 260; Y & T: 282 Artist: Joseph Anton Feuchtmayer |
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Holy Family |
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Virgin and Child - Stained glass window of St. Gedeon
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Nativity – Medieval Manuscrit,
Cistercian Abbey, Altenberg La nativité, manuscrit médiéval de l’abbaye cistercienne de Altenberg Date: 11-14-1979; Scott: P NB 163 |
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Adoration of
the Kings – Oak Altar St. Peter’s Church, Hamburg L’adoration des Rois mages – Autel de l’église St- Pierre, Hambourg Date: 11-10-1982; Scott: P NB 197 |
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Nativity |
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Worship of the
Kings - Sculpture |
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Adoration of the Magi L’adoration des Mages Date: 11-13-1986; Scott: 9 NB 242 |
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Calvary of
Armilla – 1180
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