Tomorrow (3rd October), Germany will celebrate its national day (Nationalfeiertag), commemorating the reunification of Germany in 1990.
Germany had been divided since the end of World War II, when the Allies carved her up into four occupied zones. In 1961, the German Democratic Republic (Deutsche Demokratische Republik) erected the Berlin Wall (Berliner Mauer), which reinforced this division until it fell (Mauerfall) in 1989, beginning the process of German reunification (Deutsche Wiedervereinigung) which formally concluded on 3rd October 1990.
The day is celebrated throughout Germany, but usually the capital of the German state presiding over the Bundesrat officially hosts the celebrations. This year, it is not the capital of the German state of Hesse that will play host, but the state’s largest city, Frankfurt-am-Main.
There will also be celebrations in Berlin, particularly around the Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor). The celebrations will be particularly poignant this year, as Germany celebrates the 25th anniversary of reunification.
Here at Halsbury, we're enjoying a delicious buffet to celebrate. Let us know if and how you are celebrating in your classroom by leaving a comment below or tweeting us!
We arrange school trips to destinations all around Germany, including the Black Forest, Cologne, Munich and many more.
Our trips are suitable for a range of subjects too, from German language to history, business and even maths. For further information on arranging a trip to Germany, please do not hesitate to contact us.