Helmut Kohl

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Helmut Kohl

Helmut Kohl is sworn in in the German Bundestag.
Photo 1 of 12 Photo: Bundesregierung/Wegmann

Bonn, 01.10.1982: In the German Bundestag Helmut Kohl is sworn in as the sixth Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany.

In the German Bundestag, former Federal Chancellor Helmut Schmidt (at right) congratulates Helmut Kohl on becoming Chancellor.
Photo 2 of 12 Photo: Bundesregierung/Wegmann

After a vote of no confidence in Helmut Schmidt, Helmut Kohl becomes Chancellor.

Chancellor Helmut Kohl (at right) and French President Francois Mitterrand, hand in hand
Photo 3 of 12 Photo: Bundesregierung/Schulze-Vorberg

Verdun, 22.09.1984: Chancellor Helmut Kohl and French President François Mitterrand honour the memories of those killed in the World Wars. The minute that they stood holding hands became symbolic of Franco-German reconciliation.

Chancellor Helmut Kohl (at left) welcomes Erich Honecker, Chairman of the State Council of the German Democratic Republic, with military honours at the Federal Chancellery.
Photo 4 of 12 Photo: Bundesregierung/Schaack

Bonn, 07.09.1987: Helmut Kohl welcomes Erich Honecker. It was the first official visit of the Chairman of the State Council of the German Democratic Republic to the Federal Republic of Germany.

Chancellor Helmut Kohl in front of Berlin's Schöneberg Town Hall; to his left Berlin's Governing Mayer, Walter Momper and the Honorary Chairman of the SPD, Willy Brandt
Photo 5 of 12 Photo: Bundesregierung/Lehnartz

Berlin, 10.11.1989: Rally at Berlin's Schöneberg Town Hall. One day after the Berlin Wall fell, Chancellor Helmut Kohl speaks to the people of East and West Berlin.

Chancellor Helmut Kohl at an election rally in Erfurt in front of a sea of German flags
Photo 6 of 12 Photo: picture-alliance/dpa/Heinz Wieseler

Erfurt, 20.02.1990: Helmut Kohl is welcomed enthusiastically at an election rally in Erfurt. His efforts to reunify Germany brought him the epithet "Kanzler der Einheit" (Unification Chancellor).

Chancellor Helmut Kohl (at right) in conversation with Mikhail Gorbachev, President of the USSR (centre) and Hans-Dietrich Genscher, Federal Foreign Minister, around a wooden table
Photo 7 of 12 Photo: Bundesregierung/Pfeil

Zheleznovodsk, 15.07.1990: Helmut Kohl and Federal Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher negotiate the reunified Germany's NATO membership with Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev.

Oskar Lafontaine, state premier of the Saarland; Federal Research Minister Heinz Riesenhuber, former Chancellor Willy Brandt; Federal Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher, Hannelore Kohl; Chancellor Helmut Kohl; Federal President Richard von Weizsäcker
Photo 8 of 12 Photo: Bundesregierung/Stutterheim

Berlin, 03.10.1990: Representatives of the Federal Republic of Germany and the former German Democratic Republic celebrate the Day of German Unity in front of the Reichstag building.

Chancellor Helmut Kohl (2nd from left), Federal Foreign Minister, Hans-Dietrich Genscher (at left) and federal government spokesman Dieter Vogel (at right), at a press conference
Photo 9 of 12 Photo: Bundesregierung/Stutterheim

Maastricht, 09.12.1991: European Council: Helmut Kohl explains the resolutions of the EU leaders regarding the Treaty of Maastricht. The foundation is a political union.

Chancellor Helmut Kohl (at left) in conversation with Bill Clinton, President of the United States of America
Photo 10 of 12 Photo: Bundesregierung/Reineke

Milwaukee, 22.05.1996: Chancellor Helmut Kohl was invisted to Milwaukee by American President Bill Clinton.

Following his election, Chancellor Gerhard Schröder (at right) speaks with his predecessor Helmut Kohl.
Photo 11 of 12 Photo: Bundesregierung/Schambeck

Bonn, 27.10.1998: Following the election to the 14th Bundestag, former Chancellor Helmut Kohl congratulates his successor Gerhard Schröder on his electoral victory. After 16 years in office, Helmut Kohl made way for him.

Chancellor Angela Merkel congratulates former Chancellor Helmut Kohl at a celebration to mark his 80th birthday.
Photo 12 of 12 Photo: Bundesregierung/Kugler

Ludwigshafen, 05.05.2010: The 80th birthday of the former Chancellor. Chancellor Angela Merkel congratulates him.