Day of German UnificationDay of German Unification

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When do we celebrate the Day of When do we celebrate the Day of German Unification?German Unification?

Our national day is very young.Our national day is very young.

We celebrate it since 1990 – We celebrate it since 1990 – it is a public holiday since then.it is a public holiday since then. On this day both German statesOn this day both German statesWest Germany (BRD) and East West Germany (BRD) and East Germany (DDR) were united again. Germany (DDR) were united again.

We celebrate this unificatonWe celebrate this unificatonevery year on October, 3rd.every year on October, 3rd.

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BRD

DDR

On this day the five new federal states became part On this day the five new federal states became part

of Germany or the BRD, that‘s the official name.of Germany or the BRD, that‘s the official name.

The new states are:The new states are:

Brandenburg, Brandenburg,

Mecklenburg- Vorpommern, Mecklenburg- Vorpommern,

Sachsen, Sachsen,

Sachsen- Anhalt andSachsen- Anhalt and

Thüringen.Thüringen.

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How do we celebrate the Day of German How do we celebrate the Day of German Unification?Unification?

Every year on October, 03rd we hoist the biggest German flag on the top of the Reichstag building in Berlin where the government works.

The flag is black, red and yellow.It is six by ten metres tall.

In the night of October, 02nd 1990 23:58 the German flag was hoisted first and then the national anthem was played.

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A lot of people come to the Reichstag building where the German parliament

meets and works. They wave the national flags, sing songs and have fun.

The Reichstag building is a symbol for the reunification because the official

German unification ceremony on October 3rd, 1990 was held here.

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There is a big party at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, great artists

give concerts there. The gate is another famous symbol of the

unification and of freedom especially for the people in East Germany.

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A lot of people from all over Germany come here. They like to go

through the gate. This was not possible before the unifiction, because

the gate was closed. It stood in the restricted area between East and

West Berlin.

To be honest most of the people stay at home and enjoy their day off. They meet friends- go to parties or so.

Germans usually not decorate their houses with flags

There are not many special events, demonstrations or parades in smaller towns.

It is usually an unspectacular day.

But why????

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One point is that it sometimes is not easy to be proud of beeing a German,

because our nation caused World War Two with so much damage, horror

and death. Can we dare to celebrate? Not all think we can.

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We still have our problems with parades and flags.

There were a lot of parades and flags in former times.

Not all people liked that or agreed with the policy of their

government, but they had to keep quiet to

avoid problems for them or their families.

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Another fact is:

We are still a young nation.

Yes we are the Germans, but

40 years of separation caused

differences between East and

West German cultures.

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The two German statesEast Germany (GDR / DDR)

•no big social contrasts

•all people had work, but earned not much

•there were not many products in the shops

•people could not travel into western countries or express their political opinion freely

West Germany (FRG / BRD)

•People could travel everywhere

•they earned much more money

•people had a higher standard of living

• said to be more consume orientated

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Berlin Wall

The older generation of East Germans often feel that West Germans not

respect their culture.

They think West Germans

are arrogant, selfish, only

interested in carreer and

think they know

everything better.

West Germans believe East

Germans are not stylish, lazy,

not flexible enough,

too moderate and naive.

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East German West German

There are still a lot of problems, but we will grow together and

there are more and more things we have in common and that

we are proud of.

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Summary

-we sing the national song

-hoist the big flag in Berlin

-have a fireworks

-make a concert and parties

-German schools have free

-make a concert and go to parties

-families celebrate their tradition

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