Bundesverdienstkreuz
federal decoration of Germany / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Bundesverdienstkreuz (Federal Cross of Merit) is Germany's only general decoration (award). It is officially called the Verdienstorden der Bundesrepublik Deutschland (Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany). This Federal Order of Merit was created on 7 September 1951. Germany gives between 3,000 and 5,200 awards every year, in all classes.
Most of the Länder have their own orders of merit. There are up to three ranks (member, officer, commander). The Cities of Bremen and Hamburg do not have an order, and by old tradition its citizens will refuse any decoration in form of an order.