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The history of the city dates back to Roman times. About 10 BC the Romans constructed a bridge across the Rhine close to a place called "Bonna". After the Roman defeat in the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest this small camp was enlarged to become a fort for 7000 legionnaires.

The fort became a town which remained after the Romans left. Between the 11th and 13th centuries, the Romanesque style Munster (cathedral) was built, and in 1597 it became the capital of the principality of Cologne. The town gained more influence and grew considerably. The elector Clemens August (ruled 1724Events January 14 King Philip V of Spain abdicates the throne February 20 The premiere of Giulio Cesare an Italian opera by George Frideric Handel, takes place in London June 23 Treaty of Constantinople signed. Partitioned Persia between the Ottoman Empir- 1761Events January 16 British capture Pondicherry, India from the French. February 8 Earthquake in London breaks chimneys in Limehouse and Poplar March 8 Second earthquake in North London, Hampstead and Highgate In Dutch Guayana a “state” formed by escaped sl) ordered the construction of a series of BaroquePeter Paul Rubens: dynamic figures spiral down around a void: draperies blow: a whirl of movement lit in a shaft of light, rendered in a free bravura handling of paint The Baroque was a style in art that used exaggerated motion and abundant detail to prod buildings which still give the city its character. Another memorable ruler was Max Franz (ruled 1784Events January 6 the Turks agree to Russia's annexation of the Crimea in the Treaty of Constantinople January 14 The U. Congress ratifies the Treaty of Paris with England to end the American Revolutionary War February 27 Count of St Germain dies of pneumo- 1794Events February 11 1st session of US Senate open to the public. March 14 Eli Whitney is granted a patent for the cotton gin. March 27 The United States Government established a permanent United States Navy and authorized the building of six vessels (in 17), who founded the university and the spa quarter of Bad GodesbergBad Godesberg became a municipal district of Bonn in 1969. It is located in the south of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Statistics Population: 69,381 (year-end 2003) Position: 50°41'5" North, 7°9'18" East Area: 31. 97 km² History 722 First official reco. In addition he was a patron of the young Ludwig van BeethovenLudwig van Beethoven (baptized December 17, 1770 d. March 26, 1827) was a German composer, the predominant musical figure in the transitional period between the Classical and Romantic eras. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest composers of all tim, who was born in the city in 1770Events March 5 Boston Massacre: 5 Americans killed by British troops in an event that would help start the American Revolutionary War 5 years later. May 14 Marie Antoinette arrives to French Court. May 16 14-year old Marie Antoinette marries 15-year old L; the elector financed the composer's first journey to Vienna.

In 1794 the town was seized by French troops. It became a part of the Napoleonic Empire. In 1815 Bonn was taken by Prussia and remained a Prussian city until 1945. The town was of little relevance in these years.

Following World War II Bonn was in the British zone of occupation, and in 1949 was declared the provisional capital of West Germany. The choice of Bonn was made due to the advocacy of Konrad Adenauer, who was from near Cologne.

The German reunification in 1990 made Berlin the nominal capital of Germany again. However, this decision did not necessarily imply that the republic's political institutions would also move. This was only concluded by the Bundestag (Germany's parliament) on June 20, 1991, after a heated debate. While the government and parliament moved, as a compromise, some of the ministries largely remained in Bonn, with only the top officials in Berlin. There is presently no plan to move these departments, so Bonn will remain a second, unofficial capital. Because of the necessary construction work, the move took several years (until 1999) to complete.

See also: University of Bonn