Germany marks 80 Years since the End of WWII

On May 8, the German Bundestag will open its doors for a solemn event to mark eight decades since the end of World War II and the fall of the Nazi regime in Europe. Bundestag President Julia Klöckner has called for all members of parliament to attend in person, emphasizing the importance of collective memory in today’s political climate.

The commemoration will take place from 12:30 to 13:30 in the Plenary Chamber of the Reichstag building. Alongside parliamentarians, representatives from Germany’s constitutional institutions are expected to attend. President Klöckner will deliver an opening speech, focusing particularly on how the war affected women and what lessons can still be drawn from that period for our current challenges, both in Germany and across Europe.

Adding a personal dimension to the ceremony, three young people will read from wartime diaries, letters, and memoirs written by individuals who were also young when the war ended. These first-hand accounts serve as powerful reminders of how ordinary lives were shaped by extraordinary times. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will then deliver the official commemorative address.

Klöckner stressed the importance of this anniversary, especially considering that the pandemic disrupted commemorations five years ago. “World War II was the most brutal and devastating conflict in history,” she said. “We remember, and we do not forget. In today’s world, peace in Europe is no longer a given, it must be actively protected and valued.”

The ceremony will be broadcast live on www.bundestag.de, with English interpretation and German Sign Language available. Accredited journalists are invited to attend. As Europe faces new uncertainties, the Bundestag’s remembrance highlights not only the weight of the past, but the urgent relevance of peace, memory, and democratic responsibility today.

• https://www.bundestag.de/presse/pressemitteilungen/2025/pm-250415-gedenkstunde-8-mai-1062324 https://www.bundestag.de/presse/pressemitteilungen/2025/pm-250415-gedenkstunde-8-mai-1062324