Memorial day: what will be remembered on the silent day?

Enlarge image

Memorial Day 2018 at the Neue Wache Memorial in Berlin (with the ceremony participants Angela Merkel, Claudia Roth, Emmanuel Macron, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Daniel Günther, Andreas Voßkuhle)

Photo: Michele Tantussi / Getty Images

What is Memorial Day?

The day of national mourning was originally introduced in Germany to commemorate those who died in the First World War.

In the meantime, however, the original idea has been expanded: It is said that not only war dead, but also victims of violence and tyranny should be remembered.

This also includes victims of racist attacks.

The day of national mourning is a so-called silent holiday and is always celebrated two weeks before the first Advent.

This year it is November 14th.

How long has the day of national mourning existed?

Shortly after the First World War, which alone cost two million German soldiers their lives, the day of national mourning was first proposed in 1919.

The first hour of remembrance took place in the Reichstag three years later.

The then Reichstag President Paul Löbe said during the event:

"To alleviate suffering, to heal wounds, but also to honor the dead, to mourn the lost, means turning away from hatred, means turning to love, and our world needs love."

In 1926 the government decided to celebrate National Mourning Day on the fifth Sunday after Easter.

After several changes with regard to the date and the name - including by the National Socialists ("Heroes' Memorial Day") - the day of national mourning was reintroduced in the Federal Republic in 1952.

Since then he has enjoyed the status of a statutory memorial day in this country.

What are quiet days?

The day of national mourning is one of the so-called silent days, which are also called silent holidays - although not all silent holidays are public holidays.

Depending on the federal state, this includes:

• Ash Wednesday

• Maundy Thursday

• Good Friday

• Holy Saturday

• Easter Sunday

• Pentecost Sunday

• All Saints Day

• All Souls

• Day of Prayer and Repentance

• Dead Sunday

• holy Evening

Special restrictions must be observed in everyday life on quiet days.

There is - depending on the federal state - a ban on dancing.

In addition, bar owners are prohibited from playing music after a certain time.

Due to the corona pandemic, the day of national mourning will be a little different than in previous years.

What happens on Memorial Day?

Church services are held everywhere in Germany in which the dead are remembered.

The central memorial hour, however, takes place under the patronage of the Federal President in the plenary hall of the German Bundestag.

In 2018, French President Emmanuel Macron attended the ceremony.

Last year, Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla were present at a memorial event in Berlin.

This year Frank-Walter Steinmeier will be at the lectern.

How is it in other countries?

The victims of the world wars are also commemorated in other countries.

In the Netherlands, for example, this is done on May 4th from 8 p.m. in the form of two minutes of silence.

In Belgium and France, November 11th is a non-working day of remembrance.

The US celebrates the last Monday in May as Memorial Day.

This is not to be confused with Veterans Day.

On this day, the soldiers who survived the world wars are honored.

bam