July 19, 1698 Birth of Johann Bodmer in Greifensee, Switzerland. Bodmer was a historian and literary critic who made substantial contribution to the development of an original German literature in Switzerland. July 19, 1870 France declares war on Prussia opening the Franco-Prussian War which would end in 1871. July 19, … [Read more...]

July 18, 1066 Death of St. Answer. St. Answer (ca. 1035 – 1066) was born in the far north of Germany in the area which is now the state of Schleswig-Holstein. He was a Benedictine monk who undertook missionary work among the pagans to the East of his homeland. He was martyred by stoning in 1066 along with 28 of his fellow missionaries. He was … [Read more...]

July 17, 1048 The third German pope, Damasus II, is enthroned in Rome. Originally named Poppo, he was born in Bavaria. He was the Bishop of Brixen in Tyrol when Heinrich III nominated him as pope. He was enthroned as pope on July 17, 1048 but soon after arival in Rome contracted malaria and died after 23 days as pope. July 17, … [Read more...]

July 16, 1664 Death of Andreas Gryphius in Glogau, Germany (now Poland). Gryphius was one of the greatest of the German Baroque writers. Gryphius is noted for his poetry and his dramas. He is the author of Leo Armenius, Catharina von Georgien, Cardenio und Celinde and Herr Peter Squentz. July 16, 1876 Birth of Alfred Stock (July 16, … [Read more...]

July 15, 1291 Death of Rudolf I in Limburg-im-Breisgau, Germany. Rudolf was the first King of the Germans from the Habsburg dynasty. He was elected German king in Frankfurt am Main and crowned at Aachen on October 24, 1273. Pope Gregory X recognized the position only on the conditions that he would renounce any rights in Italy and lead a … [Read more...]

July 14, 1093 Death of St. Ulrich von Zell (1029 – 1083). St. Ulrich was born in Regensburg, Germany in 1029. He was educated in St. Emmeran. In entered the Abbey of Cluny (France) in 1061 and was ordained a priest. He then went out on a mission to spread the Cluny reforms. He founded the first Cluny priory in Bern, Switzerland. He then became … [Read more...]

July 13, 1024 Death of St. Heinrich II in Göttingen. St. Heinrich II was born in 972 in Bad Abbach. He would become the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire (often called the German Empire). He was the son of Heinrich, the Duke of Bavaria. After the death of his father, he became the Duke (Herzog) of Bavaria. In 1002 he became the King of … [Read more...]

July 12, 1773 Death of Johann Joachim Quantz in Potsdam, Germany. Quantz was a musician who was the flute instructor of Friedrich der Große of Prussia when he was a youngster. Later Friedrich appointed him chamber musician and court composer in Berlin. Quantz composed nearly 500 flute pieces for Friedrich. July 12, 1868 Birth of Stefan … [Read more...]

July 11, 1657 Birth of Friedrich I in Königsberg, Germany (now in Russia). Friedrich was the first king of Prussia and the Elector of Brandenburg. The University of Halle was founded during his reign, as was the Academy of Sciences. July 11, 1662 Birth of Maximilian II Emanuel in Munich. Maximilian was of the Wittelsbach family. He … [Read more...]

July 10, 1839 Birth of Adolphus Busch near Mainz, Germany. He immigrated to the United States and co-founded a brewery, Anheuser-Busch (makers of Budweiser today). July 10, 1846 Birth of Elisabeth Förster-Nietzsche (1846-1935) in Röcken, Germany. She was the sister of the philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche. She rewrote and distorted … [Read more...]