30 Facts on 30 Years of German Unity

October 3, 2020 marks the thirtieth anniversary of the Day of German Unity. In a few years Germany, which was   reunited in 1990, will have existed longer than its divided predecessor.

People in  Germany have experienced a lot  together over the  past 30  years: the  first participation of the  Bundeswehr in  NATO's  Kosovo mission , the attacks on the  World Trade Center, the  introduction  of the Euro, the world financial crisis  and the Corona crisis  are only  symbolic of the many  challenges that had to be overcome in both East and West Germany.

These experiences have allowed Germans to further grow together. The terms "East" and "West" are becoming increasingly blurred.

But fort this happen was not a given. Both parts of Germany had to bridge a divide before they could grow together again.

Not only dealing with the political realities of unification proved to be a big challenge. Putting the underlying basics of German unity – the Einheitsvertrag - on a sound legal footing and reviving the East German economy were tremendous achievements

Without the great willingness of the people in the East to change, without the East German "can-do " attitude, without the courage of many entrepreneurs to get involved and invest,  this would  not  have been possible.

Without overcoming prejudice and a constantly developing   sense of community, this great success would have been unthinkable.

In our publication "30 Facts about 30 years of German Unity” we take a look at  East Germany before unification and the current  state of affairs. 

On the one hand, this involves major economic and social questions such as: How high is unemployment? How many people move from the West to the East and vice versa? What about the differences in innovative strength?

At the same time we want to deal with smaller issues:  Which products from the East have prevailed? What about eating habits? How do we spend our Christmas?

It is these small differences and peculiarities that make life in Germany so interesting. These differences will (and should) also exist in the future, just as there are differences between the people in Bavaria and North Rhine -Westphalia or between the people in Saxony and Thuringia.

It is important that everyone - in East and West, North and South - has the same opportunities to become happy and live well.