German Unity Day commemorates the reunification of Germany in 1990, when the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) officially joined the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany).

When is German Unity Day?

German Unity Day is celebrated every year on October 3.

The following is the list of German Unity Day from 2020 to 2049.

The History of German Unity Day?

After World War II (1945), Germany was divided into four occupation zones controlled by the Allies (U.S., U.K., France, Soviet Union).

In 1949, two German states were created: Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), known as West Germany, and German Democratic Republic (GDR), known as East Germany. Berlin was also split into East Berlin (capital of GDR) and West Berlin (part of FRG).

On August 13, 1961, East Germany built the Berlin Wall to prevent citizens from fleeing to the West. For nearly 30 years, Germany remained divided both physically and politically. The Wall became the most powerful symbol of the Cold War.

On November 9, 1989, amid protests, reform movements, and pressure from both East German citizens and international politics, the Berlin Wall fell. This opened the border between East and West Germany and triggered the path to reunification.

After negotiations between East and West German leaders, as well as the Allied powers, a treaty was signed to unite the two states.

On October 3, 1990, the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) officially joined the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany). Berlin was restored as the capital.

October 3 was chosen instead of November 9 (the date of the Berlin Wall's fall). November 9 had a double meaning in German history: while it marked the joyful fall of the Wall in 1989, it was also the day of the Kristallnacht pogrom in 1938, a tragic event in Nazi history. To avoid this conflict, October 3 became the official Day of German Unity.