In 1987 the Federal Republic of Germany and the Land Berlin founded the German Historical Museum. The foundation agreement was signed by the former Federal Chancellor, Dr. Helmut Kohl, and the Governing Mayor of Berlin, Eberhard Diepgen, on 28 October 1987 in the Reichstag Building on the occasion of the 750th anniversary of the City of Berlin.

This brought to a close the long period of fierce debating between supporters and opponents of a historical museum of national importance.

Committed scientists, politicians, and journalists who had pleaded in favour of the museum during the many colloquia, hearings, parliamentary debates, and in the media were particularly inspired by the opportunity the museum would offer to delineate the structures and developments, traditions and continuities, ruptures and conflicts of German history within the European context.

In its present provisional legal form, the German Historical Museum is a private limited company financed by the Federal Republic of Germany with a supervisory board as its highest authority, which - corresponding to the equally balanced participations of the cofounders, the Federal Government, and the Land Berlin as the location of the museum - is made up, in equal proportion, of representatives of the Federal Government and the Länder. A commission of experts, constisting of noted German historians and museum specialists developed the conception for the museum and have been advising it on further plans and projects.

HomePage	Mail	Impressum	Guestbook