the oldest sheet steel enamel works in Europe was founded in Thale. Following the town's connexion to the railway network in 1862 with a line to Berlin the place flourished as did the number of workers. Whilst the iron industry had only 350 workers in 1872, by 1905 there were as many as 4,400. In particular, the production of enamel contributed to Thale's international renown; in its heyday Thale produced no less than 10% of the world's production. In 1910 Karl Liebknecht, Rosa Luxemburg and Clara Zetkin spoke to Thale's workers. From 1916 steel helmets were produced in Thale. In the World War II Thale had the monopoly on this product (from 1934). Tourism blossomed from the 19th century onwards in connexion with the radon rich water of the Hubertus Spring, which had been opened up in 1836. As a result, various literary figures visited the place, including Heinrich Heine (Die Harzreise) and Theodor Fontane and especially the Bode Gorge. In addition tourists from Berlin enjoyed the summer resort of Thale. This encouraged the connexion of Thale in 1862 to the railway line from Wegeleben. In 1909 a branch line from Blankenburg (Harz) followed. In 1922 the resort was given town rights. From 12 to 14 June 2009 Thale was the venue for the Saxony-Anhalt Day held under the motto Thale sagenhaft ("Legendary Thale"), and attracted around 200,000 visitors. Incorporation of other municipalities Warnstedt was incorporated in 2003. In 2009 a total of seven municipalities were incorporated on four separate dates. Westerhausen was added in 2010. Allrode became a part of the town of Thale in 2011. The changes in area are shown in a separate table. Area of the town of Thale Population growth The growth of population (from 1995 censuses were taken every 31 December): Politics Town council (according to the official result of the elections for the Thale town council on 7 June 2009; Voter participation: 42.88%, Changes from the previous election in brackets) CDU – 59.2%, 17 seats (unchanged) Die Linke – 13.3%, 4 seats (unchanged) FDP – 8.2%, 2 seats (+1) SPD – 7.4%, 2 seats (-1) GRÜNE Bürger Fraktion – 4.9%, 3 seats (+3) Wählergruppen – 4.1%, 1 seat (-1) Einzelbewerber – 2.9%, 0 seats (-1) Coat of arms The coat of arms was approved on 11 July 1996 by the Magdeburg Regional Council (Regierungspräsidium). Partnerships Since 1990 Thale has had a town partnership