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The '''Reichstag''' in [[Berlin]] is the home of the ''Bundestag'', or [[German]] Parliament. The large classical building was constructed between 1884 and 1894 as the seat of the Reichstag, the Parliament of the [[German Empire]]. On 27 February 1933, shortly after [[Adolf Hitler]] became Chancellor of Germany, a fire broke out in the Reichstag building. Although the origins of the fire remain shrouded in mystery - a young Dutch communist, Marinus van der Lubbe, was tried and executed for alleged arson - the [[Nazi]]s exploited outrage at the incident as an excuse to impose emergency laws outlawing political opposition.  The Nazis, who did not believe in parliamentary democracy, never rebuilt it and used the Kroll Opera House for occasional gatherings of the Nazi parliament.

The '''Reichstag''' in [[Berlin]] is the home of the ''Bundestag'', or [[German]] Parliament. The large classical building was constructed between 1884 and 1894 as the seat of the Reichstag, the Parliament of the [[German Empire]]. On 27 February 1933, shortly after [[Adolf Hitler]] became Chancellor of Germany, a fire broke out in the Reichstag building. Although the origins of the fire remain shrouded in mystery - a young Dutch communist, Marinus van der Lubbe, was tried and executed for alleged arson - the [[Nazi]]s exploited outrage at the incident as an excuse to impose emergency laws outlawing political opposition.  The Nazis, who did not believe in parliamentary democracy, never rebuilt it and used the Kroll Opera House for occasional gatherings of the Nazi parliament.

In May 1945 during the Battle of Berlin, the [[Red Army]] fought its way to the Reichstag, rather then the Reich Chancellery where Hitler was dugout in the bunker.  The Soviets used the symbol of "The Peoples House" to plant the [[Soviet]] victory flag.  The building was further damaged in heavy fighting.  During the 40 years of the [[East German]] regime, the communists, like the Nazis, never bothered to rebuild the symbol pf German parliamentary democracy, either.  

In May 1945 during the Battle of Berlin, the [[Red Army]] fought its way to the Reichstag, rather then the Reich Chancellery where Hitler was dugout in the bunker.  The Soviets used the symbol of "The Peoples House" to plant the [[Soviet]] victory flag.  The building was further damaged in heavy fighting.  During the 40 years of the [[East German]] regime, the communists, like the Nazis, never rebuilt the symbol pf German parliamentary rule, either.  

The building remained in shambles until after the [[Fall of the Wall]] in 1986.  A unified German parliament voted to restore the building in the 1990s.  The British architect Sir [[Norman Foster]] was commissioned for the restoration.  In 1999, more than 60 years after it was first damaged and abandoned under two different [[totalitarian]] socialist regimes, it became the seat of German democracy.

The building remained in shambles until after the [[Fall of the Wall]] in 1986.  A unified German parliament voted to restore the building in the 1990s.  The British architect Sir [[Norman Foster]] was commissioned for the restoration.  In 1999, more than 60 years after it was first damaged and abandoned under two different [[totalitarian]] socialist regimes, it became the seat of German democracy.