Day of remembrance of the popular uprising in the GDR

On June 17, 1953, around one million people gather in East Berlin and the GDR to peacefully protest against political and economic grievances. Their discontent was directed against social problems, paternalism and repression. The Soviet Union reacted harshly by imposing a state of emergency. The uprising is put down by the massive deployment of the military, the People's Police and state security.

Around 50 people, including members of the GDR security forces, lose their lives and around 15,000 people are arrested in connection with the uprising. By the end of January 1954, 1,526 defendants are convicted.

The causes of the popular uprising go back to the II. Party Conference of the SED in July 1952, at which Walter Ulbricht announces the "planned construction of socialism". Its implementation leads to a severe food crisis, a fall in living standards and a decline in industrial production. The economic, political and social crisis in the GDR becomes clear. Stalin's death in March 1953 raises hopes of improvements, but in May 1953 the SED leadership reacts by raising labor standards by 10.3 percent while wages remain the same.

June 17, 1953 remained a trauma for those in power until the end of the GDR. On July 3, 1953, the German Bundestag declared June 17 to be the "Day of German Unity", and it remained a public holiday in the Federal Republic until 1990.