June 17
© 1997, 1998 by Paul A. Schons
June 17, 1810
Birth of the poet, Ferdinand Freiligrath, in Detmold, Germany. Freiligrath's political/social engagement was reflected increasingly in his poetry to the extent that his worked was banned and he was forced to leave Germany. Freiligrath died in 1876.
June 17, 1885
Death Edwin Freiherr von Manteufel Carlsbad, Austria-Hungary (born in Dresden, Germany). Manteufel was a general in the Prussian army. He served as aide-de-camp to Friedrich Wilhelm during the uprisings of 1848. In 1861 he was made chief of the Prussian military cabinet. He served with noted success in the Franco-Prussian war of 1870-71. From 1871-1873 he commanded the Prussian occupation forces in France. In addition to his military duties, he undertook a number of diplomatic missions.
June 17, 1900
Birth of Martin Bormann in Halberstadt, Germany. Bormann was the administrative head of Germany under Hitler. Bormann was the administrative head of Germany under Hitler after Rudolf Hess had made his fanatic flight to Britain. Bormann was a strong advocate of the extermination of Jews and Slavs. He vanished as Hitler died. He was tried in absentia at Nürnberg, found guilty of war crimes and sentenced to death. For years it was said that he was living in South America. But in 1972 remains were found in Berlin, which according to experts were nearly certainly those of Bormann.
June 17, 1953
Russian tanks crush the Berlin uprising.
June 17
Former national day in West Germany, "Tag der deutschen Einheit". (The date of the East German riots against the Soviets.)
June 17, 1900
Birth of author Hermann Reutter in Stuttgart, Germany.