The Bundestag commemorated the end of the Second World War 80 years ago

On Thursday, 8 May, the Bundestag commemorated the end of the Second World War and of National Socialist tyranny in Europe 80 years ago. Julia Klöckner, President of the Bundestag, and Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier addressed the plenary during a ceremony of remembrance in the Reichstag Building. In addition, three young people read from diaries, letters and books recalling that period, written by contemporary witnesses who were young themselves when the war ended.

Remembrance in the Bundestag

On 8 May 1945, the German Wehrmacht surrendered unconditionally – following 2,077 days of war and the deaths of more than 50 million people. In the official calendar of remembrance, the 8th of May stands for confrontation with the National Socialist period, the Second World War and the post-war era. 

The 25th anniversary was the first time that a Federal Government addressed the 8th of May in the German Bundestag; Federal Chancellor Willy Brandt emphasised the Federal Republic’s successful reintegration into the international community and its establishment of a thriving democracy. The Bundestag has regularly commemorated the 8th of May ever since. On 8 May 1985, the Federal President of the day, Richard von Weizsäcker, gave what is regarded as a particularly powerful speech. He chose to emphasise the theme of liberation: “The 8th of May was a day of liberation. It liberated all of us from the inhumanity and tyranny of the National Socialist regime,” he said.

On the 75th anniversary of that liberation, a ceremony of remembrance could not be held in honour of the victims of the war due to the coronavirus pandemic. The then President of the Bundestag, Dr Wolfgang Schäuble, was joined by representatives of the other constitutional bodies to lay wreaths at the Neue Wache in central Berlin on 8 May 2020, while complying with strict COVID-19 guidelines.