Memory of the courage: Memorial event on the popular uprising from 1953

Memory of the courage: Memorial event on the popular uprising from 1953

On June 17, 2025, in Germany was reminded of the 1953 popular uprising, which was celebrated both in the Berlin commemoration and in Potsdam. In Potsdam, the central memorial event began at 3 p.m. in the Lindenstrasse memorial, opened by Burkhard Exner, the mayor in representation of the mayor. Exner emphasized the importance of freedom and honored the courage of those who had risen against injustice and oppression. "We have to stay vigilant and stand up for democracy," he said urgently. The inclusive ensemble with each other delighted those present with the play "Freiken" and the saxophonist Christian Raake provided the musical accompaniment.

But not only in Potsdam was reminded. A commemoration of the Federal Government also took place in Berlin on the cemetery of Seestraße, in which high -ranking politicians such as Federal Minister of Economics Reiche and Berlin's governing mayor Wegner took part. At this event, the demonstrators were honored as brave fighter for freedom and democracy. Sacrifices, contemporary witnesses and survivors came together to commemorate the memories of the events of June 17th.

The popular uprising in 1953

The popular uprising of June 17, 1953 was a clear sign of protest against living conditions in the GDR. In view of the increase in work standards by 10.3 percent by the SED regime on May 28, 1953, around 10,000 people already asked for this decision in East Berlin on June 16 in East Berlin and called on a general strike. This day was far more than an uprising for the East Germans; He was a festival of the voices of the people who called for freedom and better living conditions. The rebellion spread over 701 cities and municipalities with more than a million demonstrators in the entire GDR and presented the government with a serious challenge.

, however, there were violent clashes with the Soviet troops, which ultimately violently intervened. The military was used on the evening of the uprising and there was a brutal stroke of power: at least 55 people died, many were shot under the status, and over 13,000 arrests were documented. The uprising, which was dismissed as a "contrast evolutionary coup", remains a trauma in the history of the GDR.

a lasting legacy

Every day of commemoration renews the memory of the importance of freedom and democracy. June 17th is celebrated in the Federal Republic of Germany as a "Day of German Unity", a symbol of the struggle and longing for a united future. Against the background of the economic difficulties in the GDR and the economic miracle in the west, this story illustrates the gap between the living conditions in both German states.

The memorial events, both in Potsdam and in Berlin, show how important it is to appreciate the achievements of freedom and at the same time pull the teachings from the past. Burkhard Exner's appeal to the citizens of staying vigilant and acting actively for democracy, is increasing and is more current than ever.

For more information on the events and their backgrounds, visit the articles from Meetingpoint Potsdam , Deutschlandfunk and ndr .