Death of Johann Christoph Gottsched in Judithenkirch, Germany (now in Russia). Gottsched was a writer and literary critic. He was a professor of poetry at the University of Leipzig from 1730 and a professor of logic and metaphysics from 1734. Among his theoretical works on literature his Versuch einer kritischen Dichtkunst vor die Deutschen (1730) was the most influential. Gottsched worked closely with Caroline Neuber and her theater in establishing the Leipzig school of acting.
December 12, 1791
Birth of Marie-Louise von Habsburg-Lothringen in Vienna, Austria. The Austrian noblewoman became the second wife of the French emperor, Napoleon I. Napoleon had dissolved his marriage to Josephine due to the lack of children. When Napoleon abdicated Marie-Louise returned to Vienna. She refused to join Napoleon on Elba despite his requests (demands). During his return in 1815 she had nothing to do with him. After his death she remarried.
December 12, 1792
In Vienna, a young man from Bonn, Germany, Ludwig van Beethoven takes his first music lesson from Franz Joseph Haydn. He was quickly gaining a reputation as a virtuoso pianist. He lived in Vienna until his death. During the late 18th century, his hearing began to deteriorate significantly, yet he continued to compose, conduct, and perform after becoming completely deaf.
December 12, 1838
Death of Karl Philipp Fürst von Wrede in Ellingen, Germany. Karl was a German general who, however, formed an alliance with Napoleon until 1813 (the year of the battle of Leipzig in which Napoleon was first defeated in battle). He then switched sides and joined the coalition of nations against France.
December 12, 1912
Death of Luitpold, Prince Regent of Bavaria, in Munich, Germany. Luitpold was the third son of Ludwig I. During the reign of Ludwig II (“Mad King Ludwig” who built the wonderful castles) he served as regent. He introduced liberal democratic structures into Bavaria and did much to establish Munich’s position as a cultural center.
December 12, 1915
The world’s first all-metal airplane, the Junker J. 1 undergoes a test flight at Dessau, Germany.
December 12, 1963
Theodor Heuss dies in Stuttgart, Germany. Heuss was the first president of the Federal Republic of Germany. He was a member of the FDP (Freie Demokratische Partei) of which he was a founder. During the Nazi period his books were burned as “un-German”.
December 12, 1979
NATO decides on a two-option policy in the face of the new middle range rockets installed in East Germany. NATO will begin installation of its own middle range rockets in West Germany, but will agree to remove them if the Soviet Union removes its rockets. (NATO-Doppelbeschluß)
