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How Hans-Dietrich Genscher's birth house was rescued

Kate MüserApril 1, 2016

The former German foreign minister was born near Halle. His birth house was nearly demolished. Now it houses an exhibition dedicated to unity in Germany and Europe, as a tribute to his politics of reconciliation.

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Hans-Dietrich Genscher in front of his birth house in Halle, Copyright: picture-alliance/dpa/J.Woitas
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/J.Woitas

Hans-Dietrich Genscher, who served as Germany's foreign minister from 1974 to 1992, during the crucial period of German reunification, died on April 1, 2016, at the age of 89. He was born in Halle, which would later become part of communist East Germany.

Click through the gallery above for a closer look at the history of his birth house, what it meant to Genscher, and how it has become a symbol of German unity.