November 9—Germany’s ‘Day of Fate’

November 9 has been a crucial day in German history. It has become known as Germany’s Schicksalstag (Day of Fate). Like no other day, this day shows Germany’s relation to dictatorships and its astonishing future.

Key events that occurred on November 9 in Germany:

• 1848: The execution of pro-democracy fighter Robert Blum signaling the end of the German Revolutions
• 1918: The end of the monarchies and start of democracy
• 1923: Adolf Hitler’s Beer Hall Putsch—an attempt to violently seize control of Germany
• 1938: The start of the Nazis’ anti-Jewish pogroms
• 1989: The fall of the Berlin Wall

Common thread: All of these events have marked turning points in German history. They all remind us of the dark times in its past. But today, November 9 is seen as a day to celebrate the beginning of the end of Soviet rule and Germany’s consequential reunification in 1990.

The truth is: While most historians rightly evaluate many of these crucial events, they fail to recognize the true significance of the last and most important one.

Germany’s fate: Our free booklet Germany and the Holy Roman Empire explores the question of Germany’s “fate.” It reveals a Nazi plan to once again seize control of the nation. It shows that Germany’s dark history is not yet over. While there is great hope for Germany, we can only see that hope if we truly understand the country’s past, present and future.