Order of Karl Marx

Order of Karl Marx
(Karl-Marx-Orden)
TypeOrder
Presented byEast Germany
StatusNo longer awarded
EstablishedMay 5, 1953
First awarded1953
Last awarded1989
Ribbon bar of the Order of Karl Marx

The Order of Karl Marx (German: Karl-Marx-Orden) was the most important order in the German Democratic Republic (GDR). The award of the order also included a prize of 20,000 East German marks.

The order was founded on May 5, 1953 on the occasion of Karl Marx's 135th birthday during Karl Marx Year and on the recommendation of the GDR Council of Ministers. It was granted to individuals, enterprises, organizations, and military groups for exceptional merit in relation to ideology, culture, economy, and other designations. Additionally, citizens of other countries could also be awarded the order.