#marienkirche

Tag der Deutschen Einheit

German Unity Day is celebrated on October 3 to commemorate the unification of the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic into a single federal Germany on the same date in 1990. A public holiday, the day is characterized by concerts, communal meals, speeches by politicians, and fireworks.

History of National Unity Day

After WWII, Germany was divided into four military sectors, each controlled by France, the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union. In 1949, the Federal Republic of Germany was formed and, on October 7 of the same year, the German Democratic Republic (also known as the DDR — ‘Deutsche Demokratische Republik’) was formed.

The political tensions in post-war Europe did not allow much interaction between the people of the two countries. The DDR exercised strong resistance against repression of its political opponents. Thousands of people were kept under surveillance by the German police.

On September 4, 1989, a peaceful protest was carried out by the people of Leipzig against the DDR government. More such demonstrations in other DDR cities took place calling for political reforms and the opening of the borders. And on November 9 that year, the checkpoints between the two German countries were opened and people could travel freely once more. This date marked the ‘fall’ of the Berlin Wall.

Democratic elections further paved the way for the people to come together in the DDR. Finally, in August 1990, the leaders of both countries signed the Treaty of Unification, and Germany’s unification was made official on October 3, 1990.

The Berlin Wall and the Brandenburg Gate are two very important symbols of Germany’s division and the unification of Germany in 1990. Images of both of these are put on display on German Unity Day all across Germany. The day is celebrated as a three-day festival around the Brandenburg Gate and at the Reichstag around Platz der Republik.

National Unity Day timeline

May 23, 1949

Federal Republic of Germany Forms

The German sectors of France, the United Kingdom, and the United States come together to form the Federal Republic of Germany.

October 7, 1949

German Democratic Republic

The sector controlled by the Soviet Union becomes the German Democratic Republic (also known as the DDR — ‘Deutsche Demokratische Republik’).

November 9, 1989

Berlin Wall Falls

On November 4, an estimated 50,000 people gather for a mass protest in East Berlin — five days later, the Berlin Wall dividing communist East Germany from West Germany crumbles.

August 31, 1990

Unification Treaty is Signed

The Unification Treaty is signed, allowing a reunited Germany to become fully sovereign the following year.

National Unity Day FAQs

What is German Unity Day called in German?

German Unity Day is called ‘Tag der Deutschen Einheit’ (The Day of German Unity).

What does German Unity Day celebrate?

The Day of German Unity is Germany’s national holiday. It commemorates the German reunification in 1990 and is celebrated with a festival around Platz der Republik, Straße des 17.

What is closed on German Unity Day?

German Unity Day is a public holiday in Germany so post offices, banks, and many businesses are closed. Nearly all stores are closed, although a few may be open in some city areas.

How To Celebrate German Unity Day

Celebrate the local culture: Celebrate with all the locals at the Charlottenburg Palace. Experience the neighborhoods of Berlin while taking a stroll through Kreuzberg, Friedrichshain, and Mitte.

Watch films and documentaries about Germany: There are many famous documentaries about Germany and the Berlin Wall. Some of them include “Busting the Berlin Wall,” “Stasi – East Germany’s Secret Police,” “After the Wall: A World United,” “Rise and Fall of the Berlin Wall,” and more.

Visit the specific city of observance: A famous feature of German Unity Day is the observance of the day in one of the 16 states’ capitals every year, which hosts the celebration.

5 Interesting Facts About The Berlin Wall

Two walls: The 27-mile barrier separating Berlin into east and west had two concrete walls that had a 160-yards-wide ‘death strip’ in-between with watchtowers, guard dogs, floodlights, machine guns, and more.

Death on the Wall: More than 100 people died while trying to cross the Berlin Wall, by gunshots, fatal accidents, or suicide.

The great escape: More than 5,000 people escaped by either going over or under the Berlin Wall.

Berlin in Vegas: A piece of the Berlin Wall is now in the bathroom of the Main Street Station Casino in Las Vegas.

In memory of Ida Siekmann: The Berlin Wall cycle route has a glass plaque honoring Ida Siekmann who was the first person to die while trying to cross the wall and flee to East Berlin.

Why German Unity Day Is Significant

It celebrates the unification of Germany: The establishment of Germany as a federal country after years of division since 1945 and the unification of East and West Germany is worth celebrating.

Fall of the Berlin Wall: It commemorates the day when the wall dividing communist East Germany and West Germany crumbled. This was just five days after almost 50,000 people gathered in a mass protest in East Berlin.

Dissolution of the German Democratic Republic: The date marks the dissolution of the German territory controlled by the Soviet Union and the day it joined the Federal Republic of Germany.

The great medieval city called the Lion of the Hanseatic League needed a representative temple tailored to its needs.

The monumental temple was built for nearly 150 years (1346–1502). The church is one of the so-called brick Gothic, Gothic architecture common in the countries of the Baltic Sea basin.

The dimensions of the Gothic colossus are; 105.5 meters long, 66 meters wide in the transept, the vault reaches a height of 30 m. The tower rises to a height of 82 meters. Medieval architects predicted the temple's capacity for over 20,000 people.

Doors / Marienkirche, Berlin, Germany

christbaumkugel

berlin mitte, 2020