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German Democratic Republic (East Germany) forms own army (National People's Army)

The National People's Army were the armed forces of the German Democratic Republic (DDR) from 1956 until 1990. The NVA was organized into four branches: the Landstreitkräfte (Ground Forces), the...

The National People's Army were the armed forces of the German Democratic Republic (DDR) from 1956 until 1990.

The NVA was organized into four branches: the Landstreitkräfte (Ground Forces), the Volksmarine (Navy), the Luftstreitkräfte (Air Force) and the Grenztruppen (Border Troops). The NVA belonged to the Ministry of National Defence and commanded by the National Defense Council of East Germany, which was headquartered in Strausberg - 30 kilometers (19 mi) east of East Berlin. From 1962, conscription was mandatory for all DDR males aged between 18 and 60 requiring an 18-month service, and it was the only Warsaw Pact military to offer non-combat roles to conscientious objectors, known as "construction soldiers" (Bausoldat).

Historical Significance

The National People's Army were the armed forces of the German Democratic Republic (DDR) from 1956 until 1990.

Events Before

  1. "The Bob Cummings Show" premieres on NBC (later moves to CBS)

    "The Bob Cummings Show" premieres on NBC (later moves to CBS)

  2. Bhutan issues its first postage stamps

    The first postage stamps of Bhutan were issued in 1962, the same year that the first motorable road was opened.

  3. Marian Anderson is the first African American to perform with the New York Metropolitan Opera, singing the role of Ulric

    Marian Anderson is the first African American to perform with the New York Metropolitan Opera, singing the role of Ulrica in Giuseppe Verdi's "Un ballo in maschera"

  4. American film director Stanley Kubrick (26) weds second wife, Austrian theatrical designer Ruth Sobotka (29); divorce in

    American film director Stanley Kubrick (26) weds second wife, Austrian theatrical designer Ruth Sobotka (29); divorce in 1957

  5. "The Millionaire" TV series premieres on CBS

    "The Millionaire" TV series premieres on CBS

Events After

  1. Sputnik 1 Launch

    The Soviet Union launches Sputnik 1, the world's first artificial satellite, igniting the Space Age and the US-Soviet Space Race.

  2. An Irish Republican Army (IRA) unit attacks Brookeborough Royal Ulster Constabulary barracks in one of the most famous i

    An Irish Republican Army (IRA) unit attacks Brookeborough Royal Ulster Constabulary barracks in one of the most famous incidents of the IRA's Operation Harvest

  3. Aviator Howard Hughes marries 2nd wife actress Jean Peters

    Aviator Howard Hughes marries 2nd wife actress Jean Peters

  4. South African golfer Gary Player (21) weds childhood sweetheart Vivienne Verwey, until her death in 2021

    South African golfer Gary Player (21) weds childhood sweetheart Vivienne Verwey, until her death in 2021

  5. English-American actress Elizabeth Taylor's 2nd divorce from English actor Michael Wilding, after almost 5 years of marr

    English-American actress Elizabeth Taylor's 2nd divorce from English actor Michael Wilding, after almost 5 years of marriage

More from the 1950s

Sputnik 1 Launch

The Soviet Union launches Sputnik 1, the world's first artificial satellite, igniting the Space Age and the US-Soviet Space Race.

space explorationscience technology

"The Bob Cummings Show" premieres on NBC (later moves to CBS)

"The Bob Cummings Show" premieres on NBC (later moves to CBS)

death

Emil Jannings dies

Emil Jannings, Swiss-born German actor, known for german actor, died on 1950-01-02. Emil Jannings was a Swiss-born German actor who was popular in Hollywood films in the 1920s.

The European Economic Community comes into effect, better known as the European Common Market

The European Economic Community comes into effect, better known as the European Common Market

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on January 18, 1956?
The National People's Army were the armed forces of the German Democratic Republic (DDR) from 1956 until 1990. The NVA was organized into four branches: the Landstreitkräfte (Ground Forces), the Volksmarine (Navy), the Luftstreitkräfte (Air Force) and the Grenztruppen (Border Troops). The NVA belonged to the Ministry of National Defence and commanded by the National Defense Council of East Germany, which was headquartered in Strausberg - 30 kilometers (19 mi) east of East Berlin.
Why is German Democratic Republic (East Germany) forms own army (National People's A... significant?
The National People's Army were the armed forces of the German Democratic Republic (DDR) from 1956 until 1990.

Explore More

January 18 in HistoryYear 1956