- Schicksalstag
Schicksalstag (literally "day of fate") is a label often used for
9 November due to the special importance of this day inGerman history . The term was occasionally used by historians and journalists since shortly afterWorld War II , but its current widespread use started with the events of 1989 when virtually all German media picked up the term.There are 5 major events in German history that are connected to "Schicksalstag":
*1848: After being arrested in the Vienna revolts, liberal leader
Robert Blum is executed. Theexecution is often seen as a symbolic event for the ultimate failure of theRevolutions of 1848 in the German states .*1918:
Monarchy inGermany ends when Emperor Wilhelm II is dethroned in the November Revolution.Philipp Scheidemann proclaims theWeimar Republic *1923: The
Beer Hall Putsch (November 8th and 9th) marks the emergence of theNazi Party as an important player onGermany 's political landscape.*1938: In the
Kristallnacht ,synagogue s andJewish property are burned and destroyed on a large scale. More than 1,300 Jews are killed. For many observers, it is the first hint ofNazi Germany 's radicalantisemitic policies.*1989: The fall of the
Berlin Wall ends German separation and starts a series of events that ultimately lead to theGerman reunification .The establishment of the SS in 1925 is sometimes mentioned as having taken place on the Schicksalstag as well.
References
* [http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,1564,1389975,00.html Deutsche Welle: Schicksalstag der Deutschen]
* [http://www.netzeitung.de/deutschland/214726.html Netzeitung: 9. November als "deutscher Schicksalstag"]
* [http://www.wasistwas.de/geschichte/alle-artikel/artikel/link//c8e2bcc3c1/article/der-9-november-schicksalstag-der-deutschen/-965ed3b949.html Was ist Was: Schicksalstag]
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