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60 years ago today: The birth control pill revolutionized Germany!
Find out everything about June 1st, 2025, historical events, birthdays and deaths that shape Waiblingen.
60 years ago today: The birth control pill revolutionized Germany!
Today, June 1, 2025, we find ourselves in the web of fate of history that stretches over more than a century. This day has produced many significant events, ranging from cultural milestones to political upheavals. So reported ZVW that today's name days are dedicated to the namesakes Justin, Ronan and Simeon.
A look at historical developments shows that June 1st has repeatedly made headlines in the past. In 2024, Borussia Dortmund lost 2-0 to Real Madrid at Wembley Stadium and thus missed out on their second Champions League title after 1997. June 1st was also not without significance in sport, as long-time boxing world champion Dariusz Michalczewski ended his career in Hamburg in 2005.
Historical events
The day was also memorable for the German economy and society. In 2000, the German stock exchanges opened for the first time on a public holiday, Ascension Day, despite protests from churches and unions. The political change should not be neglected either, because in 1990 Karl-Marx-Stadt officially got the name Chemnitz back. Another historic event is the launch of CNN in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1980, as the first major news-only television network.
The birth control pill, introduced in the Federal Republic of Germany in 1961, represents another significant advance that continues to have an impact on society today. Manufactured by Schering, the pill was initially prescribed exclusively for married women. What is particularly noteworthy in this context is that the topics of sex and contraception were hardly discussed publicly in both German states before this revolution. MDR highlights that the popularity of the pill has not diminished since its introduction as a contraceptive, and it remains the most popular method among German women.
The development of the birth control pill
The developments behind the pill date back to 1920, when hormones were first used for contraception. Bpb describes the important steps in the development of the first effective contraceptive pill, which was realized in the 1950s on behalf of Margaret Sanger and Katharine McCormick. At this point, progesterone was used to prevent ovulation while estrogen improved tolerance.
The official market launch of the pill as a contraceptive took place on August 18, 1960 in the USA, before the product “Anovlar” also came onto the market in Germany in 1961. In both German states, the pill became a symbol of social change: in the GDR it was known as the “wish child pill” and from 1972 onwards it was given out free of charge to women with social insurance.
The issue remains relevant, and while there are still discussions about the side effects of hormonal contraceptives in Germany, figures from 2013 show that 60% of 16 to 19 year old women used the pill. By 2018, this share fell to 48%. The image of contraception is changing, and it will be exciting to see where the social discussion about contraceptive methods develops.
In summary, June 1, 2025 shows that this day witnessed many historical turning points in the past that continue to have an impact on our society today. With events ranging from sporting defeats to significant social achievements, June 1 remains a day of remembrance and reflection.