Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Order of Merit of theFederal Republic of Germany |
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|---|---|
Special Class of the Grand Cross
(reserved for heads of state) |
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| Country | Federal Republic of Germany |
| Type | Order of merit with one special and eight regular classes |
| Eligibility | Civilian and military personnel |
| Statistics | |
| Established | 7 September 1951 |
 Grand Cross Special Class
 Medal Ribbon bars of the Order of Merit |
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The Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (German: Verdienstorden der Bundesrepublik Deutschland) is Germany's only national award. It is also known as the Federal Cross of Merit (Bundesverdienstkreuz). This special award is given to people who have done amazing things for Germany. This includes work in politics, business, culture, science, or volunteer efforts.
The first President of Germany, Theodor Heuss, created this award on September 7, 1951. Since then, over 260,000 people, both Germans and foreigners, have received it. The number of awards given each year has changed over time. Recently, it has been around 1,500 awards per year. Since 2013, about 30-35% of the people who receive the award have been women.
Most of Germany's states have their own awards too. However, the cities of Bremen and Hamburg do not give out such awards. This is a long-standing tradition in these cities. For example, former German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt famously refused any awards.
History of the Order
The Order of Merit was officially started on September 7, 1951. This happened through a special order from Federal President Theodor Heuss. The order was also signed by German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer and Minister of the Interior Robert Lehr.
The decree explained why the award was created:
We want to show our thanks to deserving men and women from Germany and other countries. On the second birthday of the Federal Republic of Germany, I am creating the Order of Merit. It is for achievements that helped rebuild the country. This includes work in politics, social life, economy, and intellectual activities. It is an award for everyone whose work helps Germany rise peacefully.
In 2022, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier made a new rule. He said that at least 40% of the people nominated for the award must be women. This helps make sure more women are recognized for their great work.
Different Types of Awards
The Order of Merit has four main groups. These groups include eight regular classes and one special medal class. Here are the different types of awards:
- Grand Cross (German: Großkreuz)
- Grand Cross special class (Sonderstufe des Großkreuzes): This is the highest award. It is usually given only to heads of state (like presidents or kings). The President of Germany also holds this award automatically.
- Grand Cross 1st class, special issue (Großkreuz in besonderer Ausführung): This is similar to the Grand Cross 1st class. It has a special laurel wreath design. Only three people have received this specific award: former German Chancellors Konrad Adenauer, Helmut Kohl, and Angela Merkel.
- Grand Cross 1st class (Großkreuz): This is the regular Grand Cross.
- Great Cross of Merit (Großes Verdienstkreuz)
- Grand Cross (Großes Verdienstkreuz mit Stern und Schulterband): Great Cross with Star and Sash.
- Knight Commander's Cross (Großes Verdienstkreuz mit Stern): Great Cross with Star.
- Commander's Cross (Großes Verdienstkreuz): Great Cross of Merit.
- Cross of Merit (Verdienstkreuz)
- Officer's Cross (Verdienstkreuz 1. Klasse): Cross of Merit 1st Class.
- Cross (Verdienstkreuz am Bande): Member.
- Medal of Merit (Verdienstmedaille)
- Medal (Verdienstmedaille): This is the lowest class of the Order.
The President of Germany automatically receives the Grand Cross special class. This happens in a special ceremony. Important leaders like the President of the Bundestag, the Chancellor, and the Supreme Court President attend. Besides the German President, only foreign head of states and their spouses can receive this highest award.
What the Awards Look Like
The badge for most classes of the Order looks the same. There are slightly different versions for men and women. Women's badges and ribbons are a bit smaller.
The badge is a golden cross with four arms. It is covered in red enamel. In the middle, there is a gold disc with a black German federal eagle (Bundesadler). For the Member and Officer classes, the badge is only enameled on one side.
The star is a golden star with straight rays. Its size and number of points change depending on the class. The badge is placed on top of the star. It's interesting that these stars have similar shapes to other old German awards.
- The 8-pointed golden Star (Grand Cross special class) looks like the Prussian Order of the Black Eagle.
- The 6-pointed golden Star (Grand Cross 1st class) looks like the Third Reich Order of the German Eagle.
- The 4-pointed golden Star (Grand Cross) looks like the Third Reich Social Welfare Decoration.
- The silver Square-upon-point (Knight Commander) looks like the Grand Cross of the Pour le Mérite.
It is not clear if these similarities were planned or just a coincidence. After World War II, it was hard to find tools to make new awards. Using existing designs might have saved money and made production easier. However, it is unlikely that these designs were chosen to celebrate old German history. This is because some of the older awards were from the Third Reich or from Prussia, which had recently been abolished.
The riband (ribbon) of the Order has the colors of the German flag. It has a large red band in the middle. On both sides, there are smaller bands of gold, black, and gold.
Gallery
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Insignia of the Grand Cross special class -
Insignia of the Grand Cross 1st class -
Badge and riband of the class "Grand Cross"
(without showing the star) -
Star of the class "Grand Cross" -
Star of the class "Knight Commander's Cross" -
Badge suspended on neck riband of the class "Commander's Cross" -
Medal of Merit, the lowest class of the Order -
Certificate of Bestowal -
Foreign head of state Queen Elizabeth II with the Grand Cross special class, 1992 visit in Brühl (Rhineland), Germany -
The gold foil German Bundesadler found on the inner lid of the Order
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Grand Cross with Star and Sash
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Grand Cross with badge
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Grand Cross with Star and Sash in case
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Grand Cross with Star and Sash set
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Grand Cross Star
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Commander's Cross set
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Commander's Class in case
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Commander's Class
See Also
In Spanish: Orden del Mérito de la República Federal de Alemania para niños
- Iron Cross
- Order of Karl Marx
- Pour le Mérite
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
- Awards and decorations of the German Armed Forces
