#19: Lights On Regulations
The city of Konstanz, Germany, boasts a unique history from World War II. Unlike many other towns that suffered heavy damage during the war, Konstanz remained surprisingly untouched. The city’s strategy was unconventional yet effective; rather than enforcing blackout regulations, Konstanz opted to keep all its lights on at night, creating a business-as-usual facade that mimicked nearby Switzerland.

This clever ruse aimed to deceive Allied bomber crews into thinking that Konstanz was part of the neutral country. This strategy, although unconventional, ultimately contributed to the city’s preservation during a tumultuous period in history, making it one of the few German towns to escape the devastation of the Second World War.