Achievement badges for children and young people in the GDR
In the German Democratic Republic (GDR) there were a number of achievement badges for children and adolescents , which were awarded as recognition for special achievements in various areas. They were simple in design and significantly smaller and simpler than most orders and decorations for adults. While the requirements for awarding the badges intended for school and social activities were ideologically shaped to varying degrees by the socialist state in the GDR, the badges awarded for extracurricular activities were less so.
Badges for school and social activities
Badge "For good work in school"
Thalmann badge
Badge for good knowledge of the FDJ
Badge "For good work in school"
The badge “For good work in school” was awarded at the end of a school year for special school achievements. It showed two children holding an open book in their hand, as well as the emblem of the pioneer organization "Ernst Thälmann" . The year of the award was stamped on a tag.
Thalmann badge
The Thälmann badge, which showed a picture of Ernst Thälmann on a stylized blue flag and the abbreviation “JP” for “Young Pioneers” as well as the year of the award in the lower area, was awarded at the end of a school year for outstanding social achievements. This mainly included activities in the area of the pioneering organization "Ernst Thälmann" .
Badge "For good knowledge"
The badge for good knowledge of the Free German Youth (FDJ) was awarded after completing the so-called FDJ academic year for proof of basic knowledge in the field of Marxism-Leninism as well as political and social life in the GDR. The prerequisites were the completion of a written paper and the passing of an examination interview. In front of a stylized blue flag with the emblem of the FDJ in the upper left corner, the badge showed an open red book in the lower area, on which the portraits of Karl Marx , Friedrich Engels and Lenin were depicted. It was awarded in the stages of bronze, silver and gold.
"Sputnik badge" - "Always ready"
The "Sputnik Achievement Badge" - "Always Ready" - ("Silver Sputnik ") - was awarded to Thälmann pioneers in four stages in 1959. The content of the evaluation was, depending on the level, comradely help, useful deeds for the GDR, the application of natural science and technology, first aid and the transfer of knowledge to young pioneers.
Badges for after school activities
Golden one
Fire protection one
Young technicians
Golden one
The “Golden One” was awarded for successful proof of basic knowledge in the context of road safety, with a focus on knowledge of road safety when using a bicycle . The badge showed the number “1” in the middle of a stylized ribbon on which the year of the award was stamped. It was the successor to the badge "For a good knowledge of traffic regulations", which existed until 1969.
Fire protection one
The fire protection one, similar to the golden one, was awarded for proof of basic knowledge in fire protection , in particular preventive fire protection. The badge showed the number "1" on a red diamond.
"Young Tourist" badge
The “Young Tourist” badge, also known as the “Tourist Badge”, was awarded for demonstrating knowledge of leisure activities in the great outdoors, such as camping , orientation in the field, identifying the native flora and fauna and similar activities. The corresponding training took place primarily in the tent camps of the pioneer organization "Ernst Thälmann", which were usually carried out in grades 3 and 4. The badge showed a tent, an ear of wheat, a compass rose and the abbreviation "JP" for "Young Pioneers" on a stylized flag and was awarded in bronze, silver and gold.
Children's sports badges and youth sports badges
Youth Sports Badge
All-around badge in silver
Winter sports badge "Snowman"
Pentathlon badge
Tourist badge
Hans Beimler competition
The children's sports badges and the youth sports badges were part of the GDR's sports badge . They were awarded for appropriate sporting achievements and were similar in their design to the German sports badge , but showed the letters "DDR" instead of "DSB" in a stylized wreath. This had a transversely oval shape for the children's sports badge and a round shape for the youth sports badge, while the sports badge for adults had a highly oval shape. In the two variants for children and young people, a Roman numeral on a small tag indicated the age group, of which four (I - 6/7 years, II - 8/9 years, III - 10/11 years, IV - 12/13 years) and passed two (I - 14/15 years, II - 16/17 years) for the youth sports badge. The children's sports badge was awarded in bronze and silver, the youth sports badge in bronze, silver and gold.
For pictures see under Sports Badge of the GDR .
In addition to the sports badge, there were also badges for younger students in the form of silver or gold snowmen, ice skates, toboggans and ski boots.
Individual evidence
- ↑ ZL 39 / ZL 1179 Ag 229/59 GDR - National printing house