Wirth monument

Flag at the Wirth memorial

26 July is the anniversary of the death of Johann Georg August Wirth, who died on this day in 1848. Together with Philipp Jakob Siebenpfeiffer, he was the initiator and main speaker at the Hambach Festival, which is regarded as the first major demonstration in favour of freedom, national unity and popular sovereignty. From 27 May to 1 June 1832, up to 30,000 people gathered in and around Hambach Castle above Neustadt an der Weinstraße. The event, which lasted several days, is considered a milestone on the road to democracy in Germany. Wirth is also one of the people whose work was decisive for freedom of the press and democracy in Germany. In memory of Wirth, the flag with the portrait of the great freedom fighter born in Hof is raised at the Wirth monument at the Freiheitshalle during the festival.