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Day of the founding of the German Empire

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Day of the founding of the German Empire
Map of the German Empire between 1871 and 1918
Observed byGerman Empire
Date18 January
Next time18 January 2025 (2025-01-18)
Frequencyannual

The Day of the founding of the German Empire (German: Reichsgründungstag) was an annual celebration on the anniversary of the proclamation of the German Empire on 18 January 1871 in the Palace of Versailles.

The North German Confederation had already officially adopted the name "German Reich" in its Constitution by 1 January 1871, so constitutionally speaking, 18 January was not the day of the founding.

Stampe from 1900 from the "Representations of the German Empire" series. Memorial to the Founding of the German Empire, 1896, in the while hall of the Berlin Castle, based on a painting of William Pape.

Celebrations

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Celebrations were held annually on 18 January. At centralised and local events, patriotic speeches were held and songs such as Heil dir im Siegerkranz, the unofficial anthem of the empire were sung. Celebrations also took place publicly during the Weimar Republic (1919–1933) and with the participation of high dignitaries. Nazi Germany only celebrated the founding of the German Empire in the beginning.[further explanation needed]

East Germany completely abolished this custom. On 18 January 1971, West Germany issued a motif of special stamps for the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Empire on 30 Pfennig stamps (Michel catalogue 658 and 385) designed by the Deutsche Bundespost Berlin. This corresponded to the rate for a standard letter at the time. On 24 November 1971, a commemorative coin was struck with a nominal value of five Deutsche Marks which paid tribute to the same event.

Some adherents of the political right continued this tradition. Also, some student connections celebrated Reichsgründungskneipen (Imperial Founding Pubs).

  • Reichspräsident Paul von Hindenburg leaving the Berlin Cathedral after the celebrations in 1931.
    Reichspräsident Paul von Hindenburg leaving the Berlin Cathedral after the celebrations in 1931.
  • Rudolf Smend speaking in 1933 at the celebrations in the auditorium of Berlin's Humboldt University.
    Rudolf Smend speaking in 1933 at the celebrations in the auditorium of Berlin's Humboldt University.
  • Deutsche Bundespost (1971) issued this stamp on the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Empire - an imperial eagle with the imperial crown.
    Deutsche Bundespost (1971) issued this stamp on the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Empire - an imperial eagle with the imperial crown.

See also

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Further reading

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  • Fritz Schellack: Nationalfeiertage in Deutschland von 1871 bis 1945. Frankfurt am Main [u. a.] 1990, S. 161 f., 193 ff., 261 ff.
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