VIDEOS: Population: 650,000 For more information on Frankfurt click here.
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Frankfurt: The new Waldstadion is being built on the same site as its previous
incarnation, which was erected in the 1920s and renovated for the 1974
FIFA World Cup and again for the 1988 European Championships. Fondly
remembered occasions in the history of the “old” Waldstadion include
the waterlogged semi-final game between Poland and West Germany in 1974,
and the Muhammad Ali vs Karl Mildenberger bout in 1966.
"Franconovurd" was first mentioned in Charlemagne's deed of donation in 794. In 855 Frankfurt staged its first Royal election. No less than thirty-six kings were elected and ten German Emperors crowned here between 855 and 1792. Since the high Middle Ages Frankfurt has developed to become a powerful trade and congress city of European rank. In 1749 Frankfurt's most famous citizen was born: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Between 1815 and 1866 Frankfurt was the centre of the "German Union" as the meeting place of the permanent Union Assembly. A month after the French Revolution in February 1848, German democrats demanded a constitutional National Assembly. On 18 May 1848 the delegates from all German countries opened the first free elected German Parliament at Paulskirche. Under Prussian administration, Frankfurt rose to become a large modern city. During the Weimar Republic the city was a centre of the cultural and scientific avant-garde. In the following years Frankfurt on the Main developed into an international economic and financial metropolis. The city has been the seat of the European Central Bank since 1998. Almost a third of the inhabitants do not own a German passport. The immigration of people from countries around the globe shapes Frankfurt's international and multi-cultural character. Frankfurt on the Main is a city which has won distinction for its liberal-mindedness, international orientation and enthusiasm for sports. Over 140,000 sportsmen and -women are actively engaged in 470 clubs. On the football scene, apart from the three Bundesliga teams - Eintracht Frankfurt, women´s teams 1st FFC Frankfurt and FSV Frankfurt - there are currently about 100 clubs with over 650 youth and senior teams in competitive leagues. Frankfurt on the Main is the headquarters of the German Sports Federation (DSB), the National Olympic Committee and the two biggest sports federations, the German Football Association (DFB) and the German Gymnastics Association (DTB), and thus is the hub of German sports organisations. The city gained special reputation by hosting the Tennis World Championships (ATP Finals) from 1990 until 1995 and the Federation Cup between 1992 and 1994. Annual major events are the classic cycling event, "Rund um den Henninger Turm", an international show jumping event and the ETA Marathon Frankfurt. Major Events at the Frankfurt Waldstadion
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