Perhaps you didn’t know that a seemingly random day in early October is a nationwide public holiday. This 3. Oktober 1990 is no ordinary day. It marks Tag der deutschen Einheit. It is a day for us to remember the reunification of Germany. We celebrate the coming together of the German Democratic Republic and the Federal Republic of Germany.
Let’s reflect on the historical importance of the 3. Oktober 1990. The seeds of reunification were sown on 9 November 1989. On that day, GDR officials proclaimed free travel into West Germany during a press conference. However, 9 November was not chosen as the holiday date. This was because it also marked the date of the November Pogroms in 1938. So, 3 October was chosen. It celebrates the introduction of West German law in the GDR in 1990. The 3. Oktober 1990 has been a binding nationwide holiday ever since.
Hamburg played a significant role during this period. This city centre is only about 50 kilometres from the former border with the GDR. Many Hamburgers remember the East Germans visiting the city in 1989. Hamburg was a primary destination for East Germans. They wanted to spend their welcome money in western department stores. They also wanted to see sights that were previously inaccessible.
Each year, celebrations of the Day of German Unity occur in a different federal state. The host is the federal state holding the presidency of the Bundesrat. In Hamburg, the “Festival of Unity” takes place at well-known public areas. These locations include Binnenalster lake, Rathausmarkt, Gänsemarkt squares and Mönckebergstrasse. The federal states present themselves on the “Ländermeile” along Mönckebergstrasse. Key constitutional bodies are presented on Rathausmarkt square. These bodies include the Bundesrat, the German Bundestag, the Federal Government and the Federal Constitutional Court.
To mark the Day of German Unity, an apple tree has been planted by Hamburg’s mayor. This tradition started in 2019 with a campaign called “Einheitsbuddeln”. This campaign encourages people to plant trees for Unity Day. Since its start, around 300,000 trees have been planted.
The 3. Oktober 1990 remains a symbol of hope. It highlights the strength and resilience of the German people. As we stand here, let’s take a moment to remember this historic day. Let’s appreciate the unity and freedom that it represents.