2-632-324 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Members of the People's Marine Division on the Balcony of the City Palace, December 1918, 1918, (1938). The Berlin City Palace the royal and imperial palace in the centre of Berlin. Built in the 15th century and finalised by the middle 18th century, is attributed to German architect Andreas Schlüter (1664-1714). Following the defeat and forced abdication of William II (1859-1941) both as German Emperor and as King of Prussia the palace was sacked. In November 1918, the Spartacist leader, Karl Liebknecht (1871-1919), declared the German Socialist Republic from a balcony of the Palace, ending more than 400 years of royal occupation of the building. From These Tremendous Years 1919-1938. [Daily Express, London, 1938]