https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Germany in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed December 16th marks 250 years since Beethoven's birth. Here are some of the most fascinating facts about the iconic German composer's incredible life. https://www.thelocal.de/20200225/10-fascinating-facts-about-beethoven Tue, 25 Feb 2020 17:23:51 +0100 10-fascinating-facts-about-beethoven Germany marks the 200th anniversary of Karl Marx's birth on Saturday, but celebrations risk being marred by protests as the revolutionary philosopher remains a divisive figure almost three decades after the fall of the Berlin Wall. https://www.thelocal.de/20180505/divisions-resurface-as-germany-celebrates-marx-at-200 Sat, 05 May 2018 11:17:49 +0200 divisions-resurface-as-germany-celebrates-marx-at-200 Karl Marx was born 200 years ago on Saturday in the small German city of Trier. While he is known now as the father of communism, he led a colourful private life in Germany before being expelled from the country. https://www.thelocal.de/20180504/10-fun-and-important-facts-about-karl-marx-as-he-turns-200 Fri, 04 May 2018 13:27:48 +0200 10-fun-and-important-facts-about-karl-marx-as-he-turns-200 February 6th 2018 marks the 100th birthday of Lothar-Günther Buchheim, the author of Germany’s most famous war novel, Das Boot. But his talents stretched far further than just writing. https://www.thelocal.de/20180206/lg-buchheim-the-multi-talented-and-irascible-genius-behind-das-boot Tue, 06 Feb 2018 18:23:52 +0100 lg-buchheim-the-multi-talented-and-irascible-genius-behind-das-boot There is no older gorilla in Europe: on Thursday the Berlin zoo celebrated the birthday of Fatou the gorilla, thought to be 60 years old. https://www.thelocal.de/20170413/europes-oldest-gorilla-celebrates-60th-birthday-in-berlin Thu, 13 Apr 2017 13:24:22 +0200 europes-oldest-gorilla-celebrates-60th-birthday-in-berlin When two men in police uniforms showed up at a 50th birthday party, the guests were thrilled that the 'strippers' had arrived. https://www.thelocal.de/20160719/police-mistaken-for-strippers-at-rowdy-birthday-party Tue, 19 Jul 2016 14:35:17 +0200 police-mistaken-for-strippers-at-rowdy-birthday-party One of Germany's greatest car companies turns 100 on Monday. We take a look at how BMW became the manufacturing giant that it is today. https://www.thelocal.de/20160307/munich-bmw-cars-industry-100-years-germany Mon, 07 Mar 2016 08:52:00 +0100 munich-bmw-cars-industry-100-years-germany As Arvo Pärt celebrates his 80th birthday on September 11th, the Estonian-born composer who adopted German nationality can look back on decades of fame, respect and awe from around the globe. https://www.thelocal.de/20150911/world-famous-musical-genius-turns-80 Fri, 11 Sep 2015 19:01:34 +0200 world-famous-musical-genius-turns-80 Quirky tributes poured in for Chancellor Angela Merkel as she celebrated her 60th birthday on Thursday, along with some advice from her former mentor, elder statesman Helmut Kohl. https://www.thelocal.de/20140717/songs-and-advice-merkel-60-birthday Thu, 17 Jul 2014 17:45:00 +0200 songs-and-advice-merkel-60-birthday Chancellor Angela Merkel turns 60 on Thursday and to celebrate a Berlin museum is displaying 60 photos of the leader through the years. Merkel herself will enjoy her birthday with a lecture. https://www.thelocal.de/20140716/merkels-60th-birthday-celebrated-with-60-photos Wed, 16 Jul 2014 14:20:00 +0200 merkels-60th-birthday-celebrated-with-60-photos