Day of German Unity
On 3 October Germany celebrates the Day of German Unity. Read how it came about and how the country has since grown together
A process without historical precedent
Germany has been reunited since October 3, 1990. The peaceful revolution of the people in the GDR had brought down the Wall that had divided Germany into east and west.
Topic of the week: Day of German Unity
Overcoming the division
The new order in Europe was sealed when Germany reunified. Discover the most important background facts here.
Why is the third of October a public holiday?
This is the day on which Germany celebrates its reunification. Find out how this came to pass, and what happened 30 years ago.
Poland
Blossoming friendships
A personal look back at 30 years of neighbourly relations between Poland and the reunified Germany by foreign correspondent Ulrich Krökel.
No Young Pioneer’s badge
Angie Pohlers was born in eastern Germany the year the Wall came down. How has she experienced the growing together of East and West?
A life without the Wall
In 1989 the Wall fell, and in 1989 our author was born. She belongs to a generation that never experienced a divided Germany.
Europe
Growing together
Stefan was born two years before the fall of the Berlin Wall. Although he grew up in united Germany, he can still see traces of the old division today.
The fall of the Wall and German reunification
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The fall of the Wall
On the evening of November 9, 1989, the GDR opened its border crossings to the West for all citizens: The event went down in history as The Fall of the Wall.
Train to freedom
A multimedia project depicts the escape of Christian Bürger from the GDR in 1989.
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How well have we grown together?
28 years after reunification, living conditions in east and west Germany have converged considerably. But some differences remain.
Investing in minds
The economic catching-up process in the east of Germany is stagnating. What should be done? Economics researcher Oliver Holtemöller tells us where more adjustments can be made.
Economics: Stronger together
The economy in east Germany is characterized by clusters that have formed in traditional industrial centres. These are its strengths.
Achieving Unity
History professor Gregor Schöllgen on the Two Plus Four process and the path from the fall of the Wall in 1989 to German unification in 1990.
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On the path to unity
How well has Germany grown together since reunification 27 years ago? Important facts and figures.
The challenge "Aufbau Ost"
The reunification process is without historical precedent and a national tour de force that cannnot be completed in a few years.
Two plus Four Treaty
The fall of the Berlin Wall marked the beginning of a new era, but it was the Two plus Four Treaty that actually paved the way to German reunification.
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“We are the people”
German reunification: the motto of the peaceful revolution in 1989 was an appeal against division and in favour of non-violence.
Topic of the week: Day of German Unity
German unity up close and personal
So-called unification ambassadors present personal views on German reunification.
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Topic of the week: Day of German Unity
The most important public holiday
German reunification is celebrated every year on 3 October. Discover five facts about the Federal Republic’s most important public holiday.
In the heart of Germany
Focus on a special city: this year’s central celebrations for the Day of German Unity are taking place in Halle in Saxony-Anhalt.