First Oktoberfest: Munich Celebrates Royal Wedding
Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria married Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen on October 12, 1810, and the citizens of Munich were invited to celebrate with horse races on a meadow outside the city gates. The meadow was named Theresienwiese in the bride's honor. The party was such a success that Munich decided to repeat it the following year, and the tradition grew. By the late 1800s, beer tents replaced horse racing as the main attraction. Today, Oktoberfest runs for 16 to 18 days ending the first Sunday in October, drawing over 6 million visitors annually who consume roughly 7.5 million liters of beer. Despite the name, most of the festival occurs in September. Only beer brewed within Munich city limits by six traditional breweries is permitted to be served.
October 12, 1810
216 years ago
Key Figures & Places
What Else Happened on October 12
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