38 B.C. Agrippa, Roman field marshall, friend and son-in-law of the emperor Augustus create a settlement. The original Kölner (Cologne citizen) could  be mixture of Roman soldiers and blond Ubier girl. 50 A.D The settlement receives the city rights and the name Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium. 456 Cologne falls finally to the Franconians. 1248 is the year when the foundation-stone for Cologne cathedral is put. 1388 Foundation of the Cologne university. 1475 Cologne becomes a free city and receives the right of to have it's own money. During the Middle Ages Cologne grows continuously and ascends to a European metropolis. The wealth of the city originates from trade. 1794 The French occupation means the end of the free  city. Only 20 years later  the Frenchmen are replaced by Prussian  troops. In 1815  the Vienna congress gives Cologne to the Kingdom of Prussia. 1825 The first Rhine steamer takes up its course: Cologne Rotterdam Antwerp. 1880 the most characteristic building of the city: the Cologne cathedral is completed. 1917 Konrad Adenauer becomes mayor of Cologne. During his term of office the university is established again,  the stadium is opened, a green belt is created and the Cologne fair in Deutz open it's doors. 1945 Cologne is 90 per cent destroyed at end of World War II .