October 3, 2025, marks the 35th anniversary of the reunification of East and West Germany. On this day, the country celebrates German Unity Day, a nationwide acknowledgement of when the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) ceased to exist and joined the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany).
The occasion also marks the momentous moment when communism began to crumble across Eastern Europe, which ultimately led to the disintegration of the Soviet Union. The process of reunification proved difficult, and was fraught with problems. But over 30 years later, it's a reminder of how democratic ideals can triumph over authoritarian rule.
Revisit this historic episode in German history by reading through the following gallery and learning more about how a divided nation came together as a whole.