5 things about German Unity Day and what happened in 1990

Germany is celebrating its Unity Day today (October 3) to remember the historic day when the country was reunited with East Germany.

Congratulatory messages poured in from around the world, wishing German Chancellor Olaf on the occasion.

But what is German Unity Day and why is it significant? Here are five things to know about it.

• German Unity Day or Day of German Unity is celebrated to commemorate the day East Germany was officially made part of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1990 after the signing of the Accession Treaty

• Under the Accession Treaty, the then-German Democratic Republic (GDR) gave up its sovereignty and acceded to the Federal Republic of Germany

• Why was Germany divided in the first place? During the late 1940s, Europe was bifurcated into two regions – east and west. The border that divided the two sides ran through Germany and hence the country was also split in two. The division was a direct consequence of World War II and the Cold War. Quality of life in the two Germany(s) was significantly different too. In the East, people were not allowed to vote or travel to the West

• The final push to the reunification bid was the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989. The opening of the border was a result of month-long protests by people of East Germany or GDR

• Unity Day is a public holiday in Germany, marked by various celebrations, including official ceremonies, cultural events, and local festivities. In 1990, the day was chosen as a national holiday to symbolize the end of the Cold War divisions in Europe and to celebrate peace and unity