The Day of German Unity is a national holiday established by federal law, celebrated on October 3. East Germany’s national day was October 7 (Tag der Republik), in honor of the founding of the Socialist German Democratic Republic in 1949. June 17 was observed as a national holiday in West Germany after the suppression of the 1953 uprising.

The German Unity Treaty (Einigungsvertrag) officially united East and West Germany and made Berlin the new capital of the Federal Republic of Germany. The document was signed on August 31 and entered into force on September 29, 1990.

On the Day of German Unity, flags are raised and a festival is held near the Reichstag building. Politicians make speeches, TV programs about the history of Germany are broadcast. In Berlin, open-air concerts or other celebrations are held near the Brandenburg Gate.