Basic Law takes effect

The month of May was characterised by milestones toward establishing the Federal Republic of Germany. After eight months of consultations, members of the Parliamentary Council adopted the „Basic Law“ on 8 May 1949. On the same day the military governors of the United States, Great Britain and France, as well as the state parliaments in the Western Occupation Zone – with the exception of Bavaria – gave their approval to this provisional German constitution.

© HdbG The Regierender Bürgermeister („Governing Mayor“) of Berlin, Ernst Reuter, signing the Basic Law; Reuter patronized Willy Brandt's political career in Berlin

Two days later Bonn was able to prevail over its competitors, Frankfurt on the Main, Stuttgart and Kassel, in the „question of the capital city“. With a ceremonious proclamation and signing on 23 May 1949, the Basic Law takes effect.