Question 186 · Federal question

In 1953, there was an uprising in the GDR that was commemorated for a long time in the…

Topic: Division, the GDR and Reunification

German original (as asked in the real test)

Im Jahr 1953 gab es in der DDR einen Aufstand, an den lange Zeit in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland ein Feiertag erinnerte. Wann war das?

A 1. Mai
B 17. Juni ✓ Correct answer
C 20. Juli
D 9. November

Translation

In 1953, there was an uprising in the GDR that was commemorated for a long time in the Federal Republic of Germany with a public holiday. When was that?

A May 1st
B June 17th ✓ Correct answer
C July 20th
D November 9th

Explanation

West Germany marked 17 June as the Day of German Unity from 1954 until 1990, honoring the 1953 workers' uprising in the GDR. After reunification the holiday moved to 3 October instead.

Tips

June 17 stands for the 1953 GDR uprising, the old West German unity holiday before 1990.
Don't mix it up with 3 October, the unity holiday used today.