But the city takes its modern name, Hamburg, from the first permanent building on the site, a castle whose construction was ordered by the Emperor Charlemagne
in AD 808. The castle
was built on rocky terrain in a marsh between the River Alster
and the River Elbe
as a defence against Slavic
incursion. The castle was named Hammaburg, burg meaning castle or fort.
1863 The New Apostolic Church, a Christian and chiliastic church, is established in Hamburg, Germany.
1927 The {{Ship||Cap Arcona}} is launched at the Blohm & Voss shipyard in Hamburg.
1938 The Holocaust: The Neuengamme concentration camp opens in the Bergedorf district of Hamburg, Germany.
1940 World War II: In response to Germany's leveling of Coventry, England two days before, the Royal Air Force bombs Hamburg.
1943 World War II: Operation Gomorrah begins: British and Canadian aeroplanes bomb Hamburg by night, those of the Americans by day. By the end of the operation in November, 9,000 tons of explosives will have killed more than 30,000 people and destroyed 280,000 buildings.
1945 World War II: The liberation of the Neuengamme concentration camp near Hamburg by the British Army.
1960 Paul McCartney and Pete Best are arrested then deported from Hamburg, Germany, after accusations of attempted arson.
1962 A storm kills more than 300 people in Hamburg, West Germany.