October 3, 1990 was the German Day

On this day officially East and West Germany reunited after 45 years. 11 months after the destruction of the Berlin Wall, both states came together and since then celebrate October 3 as “Unity Day.”

Since 1945 Eastern Germany was occupied by the Soviet Union while West Germany was under control by the Allied forces of the US, Britain and France. The split of Germany as a nation and the Berlin wall served as two of the most enduring symbols of the Cold War.

During the 1980ies a gradual waning of Soviet power was weaking the East German Communist Party (SED) and thousands of citizens began to protest against government or flee the nation. This day in 1990 is mostly recognized as the end of the Cold War.