2. When do I feel German?

3. National Day expectations reality celebrations fireworks parades parties We have a day off everybody celebrates We just celebrate in one of the federal states’ capital Fireworks and music at the Brandenburg Gate 3 rd October

4. Why is the 3 rd October the National Day instead of the 9 th November, the Day of the Fall of the Wall? A look into the past -

5. German Empire (« Holy Roman Empire ») Succession of Charlemagne 10th The first construction of a German Empire 14th No Nation = No National Day

6. And then the German Empire declined and was Early 19 th century 1871 National identity arises in the different German states The Proclamation of the German Empire in Versailles after the German-French War leads to The German Nation. No Nation No National Day 2 nd September Sedan-Day (and Emperor’s Birthday) Until … destroyed by Napoleon I. (1803-06)

7. After World War I (1914 -1918): 19191933 11 th August (1919) Birthday of democracy Important date: 9 th November 1923 Hitler’s Coup in Munich (5-year-prison: « Mein Kampf ») The Weimar Republic

8. The Third Reich 19331945 reinforcement of the National Identity: language, music, culture (revival of legends, regional customs and creation of the Arian Race and Identity) « Faith, morality and homeland » « Fidelity to the homeland » 1933: 1 st May - Workers’ Day 1939: 9 th November – Day of the « Movement » Important date: 9 th November 1938 – synagogues on fire Miners

9. 1945-1990 1990-2010 After World War II: Germany divided and then…. 2 Nations = 2 National days GDR / DDR : 7 th October (1949) Day of the Republic FRG / BRD: 17 th June (1953) Day of the rebellion against the government in Eastern Germany (Day of the Reunification) … the Berlin Wall falls : 9 th November 1989 !!! 1 Nation = 1 National Day 3 rd October (GDR- citizens become FRG- citizens) 2009

10. 9 th November 2009 at the MGB In this year Germany has been united for 20 years. Project with the French ECA including 40 schools in 22 European countries. We let balloons with postcards fly into the air. One balloon even covered 400km and landed near Paris. We made a song.

11. 09. November 2009 at the MGB