4

Once again we ventured out on our own today. And to add to our high spirits, the weather was most pleasant. The first stop of our self-guided tour was the Deutsher Bundestag, or known to many as the Reichstag Building. It is the heart of German Democracy. Some may well know while others will have to reach back into shadowy depths of memory, to the months of sophomore year history like myself, but, yes, this building played a significant role in World War II. On February 27, 1933 a fire was set to the building, shortly after Hitler gained power. The fire signaled the end to parliamentary democracy in Germany and served as a pretext for the prosecution of political opponents, thereby granting Hitler the velocity to rise higher and higher in popularity status. Also, the top of the building offers an astounding panoramic view by means of a glass dome that one may tour. It was then, looking around at the entirety of Berlin that I noticed the countless cranes rising up over the red roofs and the green trees. Berlin had been bombed to finality—the city had been nothing but mounds of rubble and shame. Over the years the city has slowly been built up, though with much modern aspects and so therefore, it is different than many other European cities; though it is beautiful. It may be interpreted that the city has yet to find itself: such a sight of political and social cacophony can hardly be expected to settle with ease.
Next, we visited the German Historical Museum, situated near Humboldt University. Naturally, I could have spent five days in there. Unfortunately, due to the time limit as well as Cole’s not-so-passionate-disposition, I had to rush through many parts. The museum was vast, with detailed accounts of world history in relation to Germany. Beginning in 100 BC and spanning to World War II, I was consumed with vigorous awe. Personally, however, the time periods from 100 BC to the late 1800s interested me the most and Cole found her niche in the World War II era. I traveled though the early Roman Empire, viewing artifacts representing the coexistence of Romans and Germanic tribes. The displays were amazing, offering ancient scripts, original pillars and personal possessions of Roman settlements. Then, I moved to the time of the Reformation and Martin Luther. Original copies of his 95 theses were on display along with countless interpretations of religious matter. The political and religious ideologies of Germany as well as Europe as a whole were represented through artwork and writings. Next, came the time of power struggle in Germany's regions and then the French Revolution and its impact. All the while the mentality of the people is rigorously sought out in art, fashion and overall culture. Exploration is addressed along with the arts and literature, showing the breadth and expansion of the human mind through history in Germany as well as all of Europe. All in all, I would have to state I truly loved the experience. Needless to say, we returned home after the museum closed and the day was setting.
Conclusively, the day was beautiful and the experiences were glorious.