Odyssey of a document

German history in one document and as exciting as a thriller: the history of the document, the Paulskirche Constitution of 28 March 1849, reflects the changing relationship between the Germans and their history of democracy. The special exhibition traces how Germans referred to the revolution in very different political systems and narratives.

The constitutional document has survived monarchies, a republic and two dictatorships; it survived two world wars, fell into the hands of a petty criminal, was stored at a depth of over 300 metres and resurfaced on a pile of rubble on a lake in Potsdam.

In 1848/49, the people in many parts of Europe rose up against their rulers - Germans dared to revolutionise and stood up for freedom and national unity. 175 years ago, the first all-German parliament adopted the Frankfurt Paulskirche Constitution of 28 March 1849. Despite its failure, the imperial constitution is a milestone in German parliamentarianism and our democracy. The special exhibition traces the adventurous history of the constitutional document, of which only three copies were printed.

The special exhibition is organised by the German Bundestag in cooperation with the Gesellschaft zur Erforschung der Demokratie-Geschichte and the Bundesstiftung Orte der deutschen Demokratiegeschichte, funded by the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Home Affairs on the basis of a resolution of the German Bundestag.