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Dortmund
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The first documented mention of Dortmund dates back to between 880 and
890. In the 13th century, Dortmund was one of the wealthiest and most powerful
cities in the Hanseatic League. As a Free Imperial City in the 18th century,
Dortmund had to swear allegiance to the new monarch each time a king was
enthroned, and petition confirmation of its rights and privileges.
With the downfall of the old German Empire, the Imperial City of Dortmund
lost its autonomy, and was occupied soon after by the French. The introduction
of Bavarian brewing techniques in 1845 led to the establishment of modern
large-scale beer brewing facilities. Major industrial advances, such as
the "blowing in" of the first blast furnace in the Dortmund area, heralded
the ascent of heavy industry.
Between 1871 and 1873, three collieries commenced coal mining. With a population
that had grown to 140,000, Dortmund entered the 20th century as the largest
and most important industrial city in the Ruhr area. Bomb raids during World
War II destroyed 95 percent of the old inner city and 60 percent of the
residential areas. Dortmund was rebuilt by the 1960's, and is now an internationally
renowned centre of technology, research and culture, forming the heart of
Westphalia.
Sports are enormously popular among the population of Dortmund: More than
135,000 sports activists are organized in 600 sports clubs. The outstanding
club in the football sector is 1997 UEFA Champions League winner and 1997
Cup winner Borussia Dortmund. Dortmund has hosted outstanding sporting events
(1989 world table tennis championship, 1989 German swimming championship,
1990 DJK national sports festival, and the 28th German Gymnastics Meeting
in 1990), and is the location of major annual international events such
as the Dortmund Six Day Race, the International Riding and Jumping Competition
and the DJV Track and Field Meeting. |
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