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The Iron Cross was designed by the neo-classical architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel. The decoration is comprised on a four pointed cross, traditionally cast in iron (although, in later years, the decoration was cast in zinc and aluminum). The symbolism of the decoration originated from the legend of the Goddess of Peace in that when her Quadriga was retrieved from Paris at Napoleon's fall, the Goddess was re-established atop Berlin's Brandenburg Gate. An Iron Cross was substituted for her laurel wreathA wreath is a ring made of flowers, leaves, and sometimes fruits, used as an ornament, hanging on a wall or door, or resting on a table. A wreath woven with flowers is used as a garment in some zones of Polynesia around the head, as a diadem; sometimes re, making her into a Goddess of VictoryIn Roman mythology, Victoria was the goddess of victory. She is the Roman equivalent of the Greek goddess Nike. Roman goddesses..
The Iron Cross was awarded again in 1870Events January 6 The inauguration of the Musikverein ( Vienna). January 10 John D. Rockefeller incorporates Standard Oil January 15 A political cartoon for the first time symbolizes the United States Democratic Party with a donkey ("A Live Jackass Kicking in the Franco-Prussian WarMars-la-Tour, August 16, 1870 The Franco-Prussian War ( July 19, 1870 May 10, 1871) was waged between the Empire of France and the Prussian led North German Confederation allied with the south German states of Baden, Bavaria and Wurttemberg. The conflict and then in 1914Events January 4 77 seal hunters freeze to death on ice near Labrador January 5 Ford Motor Company announces an eight-hour workday and a minimum wage of $5 for a day's labor February 13 Copyright: In New York City the ASCAP (for American Society of Compos in World War IWorld War I (also known as the First World War , the Great War the War of the Nations and the "War to End All Wars") was a world conflict occurring from 1914 to 1918. No previous conflict had mobilized so many soldiers, or involved so many in the field of. One of the more famous holders of the cross was Adolf HitlerAdolf Hitler ( April 20, 1889 April 30, 1945) was the Fuhrer (leader) of the National Socialist German Workers' Party and of Nazi Germany from 1933 to 1945. In that capacity he was Chancellor of Germany, head of government, and head of state, ruling as a.
Adolf HitlerAdolf Hitler ( April 20, 1889 April 30, 1945) was the Fuhrer (leader) of the National Socialist German Workers' Party and of Nazi Germany from 1933 to 1945. In that capacity he was Chancellor of Germany, head of government, and head of state, ruling as a again restored the award in 1939Events January-June January 2 End of term for Frank Finley Merriam, 28th Governor of California. He is succeeded by Culbert Levy Olson. January 24 Earthquake kills 30. 000 in Chile about 50. 000 sq mi razed January 26 Falangists take Barcelona January 26, instituting four grades:The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was further expanded to include:
The Grand Cross of the Iron Cross was considered the highest grade of the Iron Cross, but was only awarded to senior German generals.
An even higher grade, the Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross has only been awarded twice since its creation in the 19th century.
As of 1944, the final series of Iron Cross decorations appeared as follows:
Only 27 men were ever awarded the Diamonds grade of the Knight's Cross.
Hans Rudel was the only recipient of the Knights Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds.The Iron Cross was awarded for bravery in battle as well as other military contributions to a battlefield environment. The Iron Cross Second Class was worn as a chest ribbon with the cross suspended from the ribbon. The Iron Cross First Class was a pin-on metal worn centered on a uniform breast pocket. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, and all subsequent levels of the Iron Cross, were worn suspended from the collar.
For "behind the lines" activities, such as war plans and war effort contributions, the Third Reich issued separate decorations known as the German Cross and War Merit Cross .
Since the Iron Cross was issued over several different periods of German history, the Iron Cross is annoted by a year numeral, to indicate in which historical period the Iron Cross was issued. For instance, an Iron Cross from the First World War would be annoted with the year numeral "1914", while the same decoration from the Second World would be annoted with the numeral "1939". All Iron Crosses from the Second World also contained a swastika centered on the decoration. It was also possible for a holder of the 1914 Iron Cross to be awarded a higher grade of the 1939 Iron Cross. In such cases, a "1939 Clasp" would be worn on the original 1914 Iron Cross.
Following the end of the Second World War, the government of West Germany permitted its military veterans to continue to wear the Iron Cross, however German law prohibits the wearing of an Iron Cross with a swastika. In 1957 the German government issued new Iron Crosses to World War II veterans, altered to display an Oak Leaf Cluster, instead of a swastika, in the center of the medal.
The Iron Cross is only a war-time decoration of the German military and the decoration has not been awarded since May 1945.
In 1977, Sam Peckinpah directed a film inspired by the Iron Cross, entitled Cross of Iron.