Cologne Pride in Cologne, Germany. Cologne Gay Pride started during the 1980s as a small Christopher Street Day named for the Stonewall riots on Christopher Street in New York City. Within a liberal political culture in former West Germany the Christopher Street Day grew into one of the biggest celebration events in Germany. Education and support for AIDS became an important aspect during recent years. In 2002 Cologne Pride was also Europride a joint European event. In July 2014, there were 700,000 participants. Cologne Pride Cologne Pride or Cologne Gay Pride (formerly: "Christopher Street Day Cologne") is one of the largest gay
History of Cologne In 1074 the commune was formed. By the 13th century, the relationship between the city and its archbishop had become difficult, and after the Battle of Worringen in 1288, the forces of Brabant and the citizenry of Cologne captured Archbishop Siegfried of Westerburg (1274–97), resulting in almost complete freedom for the city. To regain his liberty the archbishop recognized the political independence of Cologne but reserved certain rights, notably the administration of justice. Cologne effectively became a free city after 1288, and in 1475 it was formally made a free imperial city, a status that it held until annexed by