German Unity Day: Every year on October 3rd, German Unity Day is celebrated to mark the nation’s reunification in 1990.
Berlin: German Unity Day is observed every year on October 3 to commemorate the nation’s reunification in 1990. In Germany, the day is a national holiday.
November 9 was an alternate possibility to commemorate Germany’s reunification, as it was on this day in 1989 when the Berlin Wall fell.
The anniversary of the German Republic’s declaration, as well as the failed seizure of the Bavarian government by Hitler’s Nazi party, fell on November 9.
The 9th of November marked the 40th anniversary of the first large-scale pogroms against Jews, which occurred in 1938.
As a result, the day was not deemed acceptable for celebration as a state-proclaimed national holiday, and the date of Germany’s formal reunification, October 3, was chosen instead.
History
After World War II, the defeated Germany was divided into Soviet, British, French, and American occupation zones.
The Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), popularly known as West Germany, and the German Democratic Republic (GDR), also known as East Germany, were formed later.
The Berlin Wall, a concrete barrier that divided Berlin physically as well as spiritually, was built by the GDR in 1961.
A revolution in November 1989 resulted in the collapse of the Berlin Wall, opening the path for Germany’s reunification.
On October 3, 1990, over a year after the collapse of the Berlin Wall, the GDR joined the FRG to reunite Germany.
Significance and celebrations
In Germany, the anniversary of the momentous reunification event is commemorated as German Unity Day.
The day is observed to commemorate how the DRG joined the FRG to establish a unified Germany.
The German Unity Day events include a formal act as well as a citizens’ festival.
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