HOW DO GERMANS CELEBRATE REUNIFICATION

German Unity Day, observed on October 3, is Germany’s national holiday commemorating the country’s reunification in 1990. On this date, the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) officially joined the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany), restoring a single German state for the first time since 1945.

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The holiday marks a pivotal moment in German and European history, symbolizing the peaceful end of Cold ‘War division and the restoration of unity and democracy in Germany.

Though the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989, was a dramatic milestone heralding reunification, October 3 was chosen as Unity Day. This decision was made because November 9 also marks the tragic anniversary of Kristallnacht, the 1938 Nazi pogrom against Jews, making it unsuitable as a national holiday. October 3, 1990, is regarded as the formal day of reunification after East Germany dissolved and integrated into West Germany’s political and legal framework.

German Unity Day replaced the earlier national holiday of June 17, which commemorated the 1953 East German uprising against Soviet control. Over time, June 17 had lost significance as hopes of reunification faded during the Cold War. Celebrating reunification on October 3 reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to unity, democracy, and freedom.