This past Sunday was an important day in German history. As the 19th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, I expected some jubiliation or some excitement from the Germans. Perhaps they might finally show me some of that taboo pride of Germany.
I couldn't even find an article in the newspaper.
But November 9th is the anniversary of another important even in German history-- one who's tragedy trumps the jubliation of "Wiedervereinigung." November 9, 2008 was also the 70th anniversary of Kristallnacht or the start of Hitler's official pogrom against Jews in Germany.
So instead of watching happy German gatherings on TV, I read about Chancellor Angela Merkel's address to the nation where she said, "Racism and Antisemitism must never again have a chance in Germany." Instead of heading into the city to watch a parade, I went into the city to visit the "Victims of National Socialism" Monument.
November 9th is a perfect example of the tension between past and present in Germany, a tension between legacy and future. Germans chose to respect the victims of their past and switch their national holiday to October 3rd. I think the Germans made the right choice.
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