| Volkstrauertag | |
|---|---|
| Observed by | Germany |
| Date | Second Sunday beforeAdvent |
| 2024 date | November 17 |
| 2025 date | November 16 |
| 2026 date | November 15 |
| 2027 date | November 14 |
| Frequency | Annual |
Volkstrauertag (German:[ˈfɔlkstʁaʊ̯ɐˌtaːk]ⓘ,lit. 'people's mourning day') is a commemoration day inGermany two Sundays before the first day ofAdvent. It commemorates members of the armed forces of all nations and civilians who died in armed conflicts, to include victims of violent oppression. It was first observed in its modern form in 1952.[1]
In 1893, theKingdom of Prussia consolidated many days of repentance and prayer celebrated by various Protestant denominations and in various German-speaking regions intoBuß- und Bettag, a national work-holiday celebrated on the Wednesday before November 23.[2]
In 1919, theGerman War Graves Commission (Volksbund Deutsche Kriegsgräberfürsorge) proposed aVolkstrauertag for German soldiers killed in theFirst World War. It was first held in 1922 in theReichstag. In 1926,Volkstrauertag became a feature on what Catholics consideredReminiscere (the second Sunday ofLent.)[3]
In theWeimar years,Volkstrauertag was not a legal holiday for several reasons:
In 1934, theVolkstrauertag was replaced by theHeldengedenktag onReminiscere. It became a holiday organised by theNazi party and theWehrmacht. Furthermore, five years later the Nazis abolishedBußtag as a non-working day and moved its commemoration to the following Sunday, to further the war effort.[4]
After the end ofWorld War II,Volkstrauertag was observed in its original form inWest Germany, beginning in 1948.[5] The first central meeting of theGerman War Graves Commission took place in 1950 in theBundestag inBonn. In 1952, in an effort to distinguishVolkstrauertag fromHeldengedenktag, its date was changed to the end of theliturgical year, a time traditionally devoted to thoughts of death, time and eternity. Its scope was also broadened to include those who died due to the violence of anoppressive government, not just those who died in war.
An official observation ofVolkstrauertag takes place in the GermanBundestag. ThePresident of Germany traditionally gives a speech with theChancellor, the cabinet and the diplomatic corps present.[6] The national anthem and the song "Ich hatt' einen Kameraden" ("I had a comrade") are then played.[7] MostLänder also hold their own ceremonies; veterans usually organize ceremonies that include a procession from the respective Church service to a war memorial, prayer by the pastor, speeches by the mayor and the veterans' chairmen, a military guard of honor, several wreaths are laid, and "Ich hatt' einen Kameraden"; where available, also with the attendance of aBundeswehr officer as official representative.
Because of the relation toAdvent, the date is the Sunday nearest 16 November, i.e. in the period from 13 November to 19 November.
Media related toVolkstrauertag at Wikimedia Commons
