Yesterday, October 3rd was the National German holiday, which was even more special this year, as it was the 20th anniversary of the reunion of Germany!
The biggest celebrations took place in Berlin, not only because it is the capital but also the Berlin Wall that separated 28 years east of the city from the west. Berlin is thus a symbol of German division and the Cold War has become. But outside the capital, there was a border that ran a 1,400 km between the western Federal Republic of Germany and the so-called German Democratic Republic (GDR).
Map showing the division of East and West Germany, with West Berlin in yellow.
A reunification treaty between West Germany and the GDR was negotiated in mid-1990, signed on 31 August of that year and finally approved by large majorities in the legislative chambers of both countries on 20 September 1990. After that last step Germany was officially united at 00:00 CET on 3 October 1990. (ref.wikipedia)
In the photo above from Berlin, the Reichstag, the meeting place of Germany's parliament, is illuminated in the colors of the German flag on Oct. 3 as part of celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of reunification.
I missed this celebration.
ReplyDelete