DON’T MISS
IamExpat FairIamExpat Job BoardIamExpat Webinars
Newsletters
EXPAT INFO
CAREER
HOUSING
EDUCATION
LIFESTYLE
EXPAT SERVICES
NEWS & ARTICLES
Home
Lifestyle
German news & articles
[Video] How did two Germanies become one?
Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy



Related Stories

Berlin ranked among the 10 best places to live worldwideBerlin ranked among the 10 best places to live worldwide
Europeans rank Berlin as the fourth best city to work in worldwideEuropeans rank Berlin as the fourth best city to work in worldwide
Berlin and Munich ranked amongst the best student cities in the worldBerlin and Munich ranked amongst the best student cities in the world
What is the significance of Johannistag in Germany?What is the significance of Johannistag in Germany?
Smoking & Smoking laws in GermanySmoking & Smoking laws in Germany
Most Googled: Why do German students knock on their desks?Most Googled: Why do German students knock on their desks?
A brief history of StollenA brief history of Stollen
3 historical treasures waiting to be found in Germany3 historical treasures waiting to be found in Germany
For expats of all colours, shapes and sizes

Explore
Expat infoCareerHousingEducationLifestyleExpat servicesNews & articles
About us
IamExpat MediaAdvertisePost a jobContact usImpressumSitemap
More IamExpat
IamExpat Job BoardIamExpat HousingIamExpat FairWebinarsNewsletters
Privacy
Terms of usePrivacy policyCookiesAvoiding scams

Never miss a thing!Sign up for expat events, news & offers, delivered once a week.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy


© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
William Nehra
William studied a masters in Classics at the University of Amsterdam. He is a big fan of Ancient History and football, particularly his beloved Watford FC. Read more

[Video] How did two Germanies become one?

Oct 3, 2019

Thursday, October 3, marks 30 years since Reunification and people up and down the country will be celebrating German Unity Day. But while it's a great excuse for a nationwide knees up, what is actually being celebrated and how did it come about? 

The history behind German Unity Day

German Unity Day is a national holiday that celebrates East Germany (the former GDR) joining West Germany to create a unified Federal Republic of Germany after nearly 50 years of division.

Following the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989, the legendary politician Helmut Kohl took it upon himself to reunite Germany's two halves. Through a series of politically-astute moves he convinced the four countries in control of German territory (Russia, the UK, the US and France) to support reunification.

This great video from YouTube Channel History Scope gives a brilliant rundown of the history of reunification and the hurdles that had to be overcome before Germany could be reunited. 

How to celebrate German Unity Day

German Unity Day is celebrated each year with a citizen’s festival (Bürgerfest) in a different major city. This year the festival is taking place in Kiel, the capital of northernmost federal state Schleswig-Holstein.

There will also be other celebrations taking place up and down the country. Berlin, for instance, puts on a three-day festival around Platz der Republik, with stages at the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag.

Make sure to check our events page, to stay up to date with all the festivities and find a celebration near you.

By William Nehra