German Unity Day

…and the wall came tumbling down

Berlin Wall by inesbexiga, on Flickr

When: October 3rd (& November 9th) every year.
Where: Germany.

The fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9th 1989 paved the way for German reunification, which formally came into being on October 3rd, 1990. Now a public holiday, Berlin throws one major celebration! The Brandenburg Gate plays host to live entertainment, food, drinking and dancing.

After several weeks of civil unrest, the East German government announced on November 9th 1989 that all East German citizens could visit West Germany and West Berlin. Crowds of East Berliners climbed onto the wall, joined by West Germans from the other side in unified celebration. Over the next few weeks, happy Berliners and souvenir hunters alike, chipped away pieces of the wall. The government later sent in industrial equipment to remove most of the rest, leaving only small sections for posterity.

October 3rd was chosen for the main celebrations of the German reunification, as November 9th was also the anniversary of the first Nazi led mob attacks on the Jews in 1938 (Kristallnacht). The day was therefore considered inappropriate as a national holiday, although there are still celebrations all over Berlin on November 9th too, to commemorate the day the Wall came down.

German Food & Drink

Celebrate with Berliner Weisse beer, eat Berlin Currywurst sausage, the invention of one, Herta Heuwer, in Berlin in 1949 after she obtained ketchup, Worcestershire sauce and curry powder from British soldiers.

Travel to Germany

Book flights and hotels in Berlin with ebookers.com.

Dates / venues may be subject to change or cancellation. Distances may be straight-line estimates. Please verify information before booking.

From holiday reading and travel books on Germany to binoculars and sunglasses you can find everything you need for an amazing trip on Amazon. And don’t forget the camera!

Enjoy your trip! And when you’re home we’d love you to come back and tell us all about it!