The Reichstag is a German parliament building, located in Berlin. The Reichstag was originally constructed to house the parliament of the German Empire (hence the term 'Reich', or 'Empire' in the name). The building is most well known as being one of the final conquests of the Soviet Red Army during World War II. Nazi plans for the building suggested that it was to be restored, and used as part of the 'Welthauptstadt Germania' plan, or 'World Capital Germany'. The Reichstag appears in both Call of Duty (also referred to as Call of Duty: Classic), and Call of Duty: World at War.
The Reichstag was a key target of the Soviet Armies that entered the city of Berlin, likely due to the symbolic presence of the building. Infamously, the Hammer and Sickle flag of the Soviet Union was flew over the city to show Germany's defeat at the hands of the Soviet Union. Even today, the pro-Soviet graffiti of the soldiers who fought in the German capital can be seen, after having been preserved.
In both Call of Duty titles, the Reichstag marks the end of the game. In the original title, players are able to watch as one of the soldiers flies the flag of the Motherland, whereas in World at War, players are given the chance to play as that soldier. In every case of the flag being flown, the series contradicts itself.
None of the Call of Duty titles that display the Reichstag give the name of the veteran who flew the flag over the Reichstag after the fall of Nazi Germany correctly (the flag was
not flown on the day of defeat: it was flown on May 2nd in order to provide imagery for the Soviet news network of the era). The man who actually did this was called Abdulhakim Ismailov, and passed away in early 2010, aged 94.
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