This is a big year for Germany, as it celebrated a world cup win in June and looks forward to celebrating the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall this coming November. Looking at today, October 3rd celebrates the Tag der Deutschen Einheit (unity of Germany), a process that was originally called "reunification" that officially underwent in 1990. The term unity was chosen instead to symbolize the coming together of East and West Germany, which had been divided since the end of World War II, and which had been separated by physical barriers since 1961.
The unity of Germany was marked by cooperation by the Volkskammer (GDR parliament) and the West German Government. Today, the festivities include speeches by politicians, concerts, feasts and large meals, and fireworks, as well as cultural presentations celebrating and remembering German history. It is a national holiday in the country, and most stores, banks, and government centers are closed for celebrations.
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