Weiberfastnacht - Beuel washerwomen's committee founded

1824

In 1824 the washerwomen of Beuel (Bonn) founded the first women's committee, today the Alte Beueler Damenkomitee von 1824. While their husbands took laundry to Cologne and celebrated there, the women staged their own gathering, the birth of Weiberfastnacht. The custom is one of role reversal: women storm the town hall and take power, and cut off men's neckties. A recurring annual custom, marked in 2024 by its 200th anniversary.