Mönchengladbach (German: [mœnçn̩ˈɡlatbax] ⓘ, Limburgish: Jlabbach [jəˈlɑbɑx])[citation needed] is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.

This spelling was seen as potentially misleading, as it could imply that Gladbach was a borough of Munich (München in German), so consequently the name was changed to Mönchen-Gladbach in 1950 (and subsequently Mönchengladbach in 1960) to avoid confusion.

The history of Mönchengladbach began with the construction of the Gladbach Minster and the founding of an abbey in the year 974 by Gero, Archbishop of Cologne, and his companion, the monk Sandrad of Trier.

On 4 October 1794, the armed forces of the French Revolution marched into the town, one day before the fortress Jülich had been handed over.

When the Holy Roman Emperor Francis II ceded the left bank of the river Rhine to France with the Treaty of Lunéville in 1801, Gladbach fell under French laws suppressing religion.

From 1933 through 1975, the neighborhood of Rheydt was an independent city; the split from München-Gladbach was arranged by Joseph Goebbels, who was born locally.

The bomber crews were attempting to interdict German troop movements on roads, intersections and rail lines in the area, especially the city's railyards.

About half of the approximately 36 twin-engine Royal Air Force (RAF) bombers reportedly hit their targets, and three were shot down.

[7] Eventually, the Prussian Rhine Province was dissolved after World War II, and the city became part of the new state of North Rhine-Westphalia which was formed in 1946.

After the Second World War, a major structural change began, reducing the importance of the textile industry and attracting new economic sectors.

At present, only 7 percent of employees work in the once dominant textile and clothing industry (for example: Van Laack and gardeur).

WFMG and the University of Applied Sciences Niederrhein have developed a five-pillar model for the future orientation of the business location.

The economic structure includes: tool and spinning machines (Dörries Scharmann, Monforts, Trützschler, Schlafhorst), automatic conveyor systems, signal and system technology (Scheidt & Bachmann), transformers (SMS Meer), cables (Nexans Germany formerly Kabelwerk Rheydt), printed matter and foodstuffs.

Chocolatier Heinemann is known beyond the city limits for his cakes, pralines and baked goods, which he offers in cafés on site as well as in Düsseldorf and Munich.

Until December 2013, the Rheindahlen Military Complex was located just outside Mönchengladbach, where it was home to the headquarters of the British Armed Forces in Germany.