Who are the history-makers here? The answer is quite simple: the guests of Berlin. Since 1949, the Golden Book has been a symbol of the city's importance – and a stage on which the big names in politics make their entrances and exits. From Theodor Heuss, the first Federal President of Germany, to US President Barack Obama, the entries read like a “Who's Who” of international politics.

Not just anyone can turn up and sign the book. It is a privilege reserved for crowned heads, heads of state, heads of government, foreign ministers, the mayors of Berlin’s 19 twin cities and the Federal President of Germany.

Today, the first eight volumes are kept in the State Archives, while volume 9 welcomes visitors to the Red Town Hall. All volumes have now been digitised. At the click of a mouse, you can browse through Berlin's chequered history: https://landesarchiv-berlin.de/en/the-landesarchiv-berlin.