Two cities, one partnership, many similarities

The term for Partnerstädte in English is Sister Cities. But how similar are the Hanseatic city and the Windy City really? It quickly becomes apparent that both cities are located by the water. What Lake Michigan is to Chicagoans, the Elbe is to Hamburgers. Both cities also share the fact that they were ravaged by fires around the mid-19th century, which destroyed large parts of both cities.

Chicago and Hamburg also share the distinction of being leaders in urban mobility within their respective countries. Unusually for a North American city, Chicago boasts an extensive network of 480 km of bike lanes, while Hamburg has even more, with 1,700 km. Public transportation is notably well-developed in Chicago compared to other North American cities, with the iconic “Chicago L” elevated train system. In Hamburg, buses and trains have been operating under the HVV (Hamburger Verkehrsverbund) since 1965.

The still young city partnership—or “sister city” relationship, as it’s called in Chicago—will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2024. We look forward to the next 30 years filled with new friendships and opportunities for transatlantic collaboration!

Downtown Chicago aus der Vogelperspektive

Chicago, the Windy City

The third-largest city in the U.S. is located on Lake Michigan in the state of Illinois. Chicago is home to 2.7 million people, and the entire metropolitan area has a population of 9.5 million.

History

The name “Chicago” comes from an indigenous language and means “onion field.” The first non-indigenous resident of the area was Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, who moved there in the 1770s as a free Black man with his wife from Haiti. The city of Chicago was officially founded in 1833, but Point du Sable is still recognized as the founder of Chicago.

Economy

Chicago is a major hub for industry and trade: every second freight train passes through the city, making it the largest railway junction in the world with its numerous marshalling yards. O’Hare International Airport is among the three busiest airports in the U.S. and one of the six largest in the world. Many well-known companies and corporations have their North American headquarters in Chicago, including Boeing and Siemens.

Architecture and Nature

Chicago’s skyline has been growing since the construction of the city’s first skyscraper in 1884. Today, the Willis Tower, standing at 442 meters (527 meters with the antenna), is the tallest building in the city. On a clear day, one can see into the neighboring states of Wisconsin, Michigan, and Indiana from the Tower. From 1974 to 1998, it was the tallest building in the world, then known as the Sears Tower.

“Urbs in Horto” – “City in a Garden” is Chicago’s motto. With 600 parks, 70 bird and nature reserves, and 29 beaches, the Windy City truly lives up to its motto. The city is at its most “green” on St. Patrick’s Day, when the Chicago River is dyed green in honor of the Irish missionary.

Culture and Innovation

What do the Ferris wheel, the hotdog, spray paint, the car radio, the remote control, and the brownie have in common? They were all invented in Chicago! The city also hosted the first open-heart surgery in 1893. Both then and now, Chicago is a center of innovation and culture. Today, an incredible array of theaters (about 200!), dance companies, festivals, parades, and museums vie for the attention of locals and tourists.

Connection with Germany

Chicago has a deep historical connection with Germany, especially with Hamburg. After the end of the American Revolutionary War, or the recognition of the U.S., a new market for goods such as rice, tobacco, cocoa, and cotton opened up for Hamburg merchants in 1783. In the 19th century, Chicago attracted German immigrants who established cultural organizations in their new home. The events surrounding the World Wars affected the perception of German immigrants, with periods of clear anti-German sentiment. Many Chicagoans’ German roots are still evident today: the city is home to numerous German-American associations, German restaurants, and the German-language newspaper Amerika-Woche. The umbrella organization for all German-American associations, the D.A.N.K.(German-American National Congress), is also based in Chicago.

Speicherstadt Hamburg

Hamburg, the Gate to the World

History and Economy

The name of the city derives from the Carolingian Hammaburg, meaning “fortress on the peninsula.” Due to its flourishing international trade during the Hanseatic period, Hamburg, founded in the 8th century, quickly became one of the most significant economic centers in Northern Europe. This development was further enhanced by its proximity to the North and Baltic Seas and its excellent rail connections. Today, the Port of Hamburg is the largest seaport in Germany and ranks third in Europe. Additionally, one in every six Airbus aircraft is manufactured in Hamburg, and one in every five aircraft is maintained by Lufthansa Technik in Hamburg. The city’s attractive location and connectivity also make it appealing to U.S. companies such as Google and Facebook, which have their German headquarters there.

Architecture and Nature

Hamburg’s cityscape is defined by its proximity to water, particularly the numerous canals, fleets, and of course, the Alster and Elbe rivers. While skyscrapers like those in Chicago are rare, Hamburg boasts more bridges than Venice and countless small and large green spaces.

Culture and Innovation

What do adhesive bandages, swimming floaties, adhesive tape, Advent wreaths, pacifiers, chip cards, and sparklers have in common? They were all invented in Hamburg! Both historically and today, the city remains a hub of innovation and culture. The compositions of the city’s renowned musical sons—Brahms, Mahler, Telemann, and Mendelssohn Bartholdy—have been performed since 2017 in the spectacular Elbphilharmonie. Hamburg is also a center for pop culture: after Broadway in New York City and the West End in London, Hamburg is the third-largest musical city in the world. For those still craving more, the city offers a rich selection of theaters, museums, festivals, and parades.

Connection with the United States

Hamburg has a long history of connections with the United States, particularly with Chicago, dating back to the 17th century. After the end of the American Revolutionary War and the recognition of the USA, Hamburg merchants gained access to new markets for goods such as rice, tobacco, cocoa, and cotton in 1783. The Hamburger General Consulate of the United States, inaugurated in 1790, was one of the first of its kind in Germany. Between 1850 and 1934, approximately 5 million people left Hamburg for the “New World.” Several organizations in Hamburg are dedicated to transatlantic friendship and the city’s partnership with Chicago.

The Tale of Two Cities

The Hamburg Senate gives the green light for the partnership with Chicago.

Mayors Dr. Henning Voscherau (Hamburg) and Richard M. Daley (Chicago) sign the sister city agreement in Preston Bradley Hall in Chicago.

Mayors Dr. Henning Voscherau (Hamburg) and Richard M. Daley (Chicago) sign the sister city agreement in Preston Bradley Hall in Chicago.

10 Years of Sister City Partnership: Celebrations take place at Lake Michigan under the motto “Hamburg Goes Chicago,” while the University of Hamburg organizes events at the Elbe under the theme “Tales of Two Cities/City Stories.”

20 Years of Sister City Partnership:

As part of the “Chicago Forum on Global Cities,” the Hamburg delegation engages in discussions with their Chicago counterparts on how both cities can enhance their roles as hubs for innovation, science, and sustainable urban mobility.

Hamburg’s First Mayor, Dr. Peter Tschentscher, signs the international “Chicago Climate Charter,” with 70 cities reaffirming their commitment to national and international climate protection goals.

Among the highlights of the 25th-anniversary celebrations were the exhibition by street art photographer Allen Bourgeois at the Amerikazentrum Hamburg and the meeting between Hamburg’s Senator for Social Affairs, Labor, Family, and Integration, Dr. Melanie Leonhard, and Chicago’s Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot during the Chicago Pride (known in Germany as “Christopher Street Day”).

Launch of Our Podcast, ChicagoHamburg30

To celebrate 30 years of our sister city partnership, we’re launching the podcast ChicagoHamburg30. With 30 episodes released throughout the year, we delve into topics such as history, art, literature, music, and everything Chicago.

ChicagoHamburg30

In 2024, Hamburg and Chicago will celebrate 30 years of their sister city partnership. To mark this milestone, the Amerikazentrum is producing a special podcast, ChicagoHamburg30. The podcast features 30 episodes exploring topics such as history, art, literature, music, the people of Chicago, and the transatlantic relationship between the two cities.

More Information

Freie und Hansestadt Hamburg

Chicago, Illinois

DANK Haus German American Cultural Center, Chicago

Förderkreis Hamburg-Chicago e. V.
Bergstraße 28
20095 Hamburg
Tel.: (040) 697 989 690