Spiegel scandal opens meeting of the Bundestag

(Front line from left to right) Minister of Defence Franz Josef Strauß, Employment Secretary Theodor Blank, Minister of Post Richard Stücklen and the German Minister of the Interior Hermann Höcherl during a statement of the federal government referring to the Spiegel scandal in Bonn on 7 November 1962. In the course of the Spiegel scandal employees of the news magazine "Der Spiegel" had to defend themselves being charged with treason because of a critical article. The scandal escalated into a government crisis after protests of the public, whereupon five FDP members left the Adenauer Cabinet, Franz Josef Strauß lost his office and the government had to be rebuilt.