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256 students, and 52 teachers started the first semester in 1810, at the then called Friedrich-Wilhelm’s-University. Courses were taught in the four classical disciplines of law, philosophy, medicine, and theology. Soon the university became the forerunner for new, mainly scientific, disciplines. Supported by the scientist Alexander von Humboldt, and other well known chemists, physicists, and medical doctors, new terrain was treaded upon. In the second half of the 19th century modern research and teaching facilities were built especially for the sciences. The first university building was housed -and in fact it still is- in the former palace of Prince Henry of Prussia. It had been constructed from 1748 to 1766, and extended largely from 1913 to 1920. When the royal library ceased to accommodate the growing university, it was decided to set up a university library in 1831, which was moved into the building of the still existing national library in 1910. A black spot in the university’s history occurred when the national socialistic party came to power in Germany. Jewish scientists and students were discriminated against, the whole process starting off with boycotts of lectures until it lead to the eviction of Jewish scholars and students. On May 10th students of Berlin’s university organised, and carried out, the book burning, which took place on the square in front of the opera house. Weakened through the loss of most of its scientific potential, teaching was reinitiated under Soviet command in 1946. Political post-war conflicts, and protest against communist influence towards the teaching of the university lead to disagreement within the teaching staff. This split resulted in the foundation of the ‘Freie (Free) Universität’ in the American sector of Berlin. Renamed after the Humboldt brothers in 1949, the university evolved to be the largest within the former GDR. After the German reunification in 1990 Berlin stood out as a city with three universities. Although there were considerations to shut the Humboldt University down, it was finally decided to keep it in operation, expressing the goal of establishing a research centre where Berlin’s best scientists could be cultivated. Unfortunately economy measures still led to the shut down of various faculties and disciplines. Since 1994 the university is structured into eleven faculties and two major research institutions. During the winter term of 2000/01 almost 35.000 students were matriculated. Somewhat more than 50% of all students are women, and approximately 11% are international students. During an outstanding restructuring process excellent scientists from East and West Germany, as well as from abroad, were attracted to work and do research at the university. Worth mentioning are the unique relations the Humboldt University holds to other universities in Central and Eastern Europe, especially to institutions in the former USSR. 29 Nobel prize winners were connected to scientific research at the Humboldt University. Prizes were awarded in four disciplines: Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, and Literature. The list of well known scientists includes Emil Fischer, Otto Hahn, Max Planck, Albert Einstein, Robert Koch and Theodor Mommsen. 
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