One-off public holiday on 8 May 2025

'Ort der Kapitulation' (‘Place of surrender’) is written on the Wall at the Berlin-Karlshorst Museum.

To mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation from National Socialism and the end of the Second World War, 8 May 2025 will be a public holiday in Berlin.

The Berlin Senate passed a corresponding bill in mid-2023. The aim is to pay special tribute to the historic date. The bill was also passed by the House of Representatives at the beginning of July 2024. In 2020, 8 May was declared a public holiday to mark the 75th anniversary of Liberation Day.

Peaceful coexistence still not a matter of course

The signing of the unconditional surrender of the Wehrmacht on the night of 8 to 9 May 1945 marked the end of the Second World War in Europe. 80 years after the historic event, the additional public holiday is intended to raise awareness of the fact that peaceful coexistence is still not a matter of course. Commemorative events are held throughout Germany every year on 8 May.

Another public holiday on 17 June 2028

In 2028, Berliners will have another one-off public holiday: 17 June. The occasion is the 75th anniversary of the East German uprising. During the uprising of 17 June 1953, over one million people in the GDR took part in largely peaceful protests, strikes, and demonstrations. The uprising was violently suppressed.