On 15 June 1883 the German Reichstag passed the Health Insurance Bill, the first national scheme of social insurance in the world, sponsored by Chancellor Otto von Bismarck. It required workers in industry to be covered against illness, with contributions from employers and employees. Accident insurance followed in 1884 and old-age and disability pensions in 1889. Bismarck, a conservative, wanted to win the working class away from the socialists, whom he had banned in 1878. The system, funded by contributions, became a model for the welfare state of other countries, and the German statutory health insurance still covers most of the population.
Before and after
- 16 May 1883Birth of Celâl Bayar
- 24 May 1883Construction of Brooklyn Bridge
- from 5 June 1883 to 14 December 2009Orient Express
- 5 June 1883Birth of John Maynard Keynes
- 15 June 1883Bismarck introduces the first national health insurance
- 3 July 1883Birth of Franz Kafka
- 29 July 1883Birth of Benito Mussolini
- 12 August 1883The last quagga dies in Amsterdam
- 19 August 1883Birth of Coco Chanel
More in Society, economy & sport
- 25 March 1807Britain abolishes the slave trade
- from 19 July 1848 to 20 July 1848The Seneca Falls Convention
- 1869Founding of Goldman Sachs
- 1874Founding of Universal Postal Union
- 1878Founding of Manchester United F.C.
- 23 September 1889Founding of Nintendo
The era
This moment belongs to the Industrial era (1760 CE to 1914 CE), steam, factories and revolutions. You can also browse everything in the 19th century.