A Call to Remember, Learn and Prevent: 80 Years Since the End of World War II
Commemorate the 80th anniversary of war's conclusion: calls echo across landscape - International Call for Commemoration Marking the Anniversary of War Termination 8 Decades Past
On this significant milestone, German political leaders are issuing a resounding call to remember, learn, and prevent, as we commemorate the end of World War II 80 years ago. It's a stark reminder for us, the free and united Europeans, of our ongoing responsibility to draw lessons from the past, share those lessons, and exhaust every effort to promote peace and democracy, ensuring that no future generations are forced into the horrors of war and dictatorship again.
The Voice of Alexander Dierks
Saxony's State Parliament President, Alexander Dierks, encapsulates this sentiment. He emphasized, "The 8th of May serves as a potent reminder for us Germans. We have the duty to acquire lessons from the past, disseminate them, and vigilantly apply our strength for peace and democracy, ensuring that people can live without enduring war, oppression, and genocide."
Remembering the Sacrifices of the Allies
This solemn mandate takes on urgency given the present state of Europe, under siege by aggressive wars and overwhelmed by internal pressures to its democratic institutions. Dierks reiterates, "The 8th of May 1945 marked the liberation from the tyranny of the Nazis. It was the day that signified an end to terror, bloodshed, and devastation across Europe. The Allies made colossal sacrifices in their triumph over Nazi Germany." On Thursday, Dierks is set to attend a memorial event in Chemnitz to pay tribute to the conclusion of the conflict.
The SPD's Unwavering Warning
The leader of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), Henning Homann, underscores the gravity of the situation, asserting that the peril of entire societies collapsing and devolving into barbarism as seen in the past is not a thing of the past. "It remains essential to remember the lessons of history and draw the appropriate conclusions. Today, the danger of such socio-political regression is more palpable than it has been in the last 80 years since the war's end." Homann stresses the importance of upholding the means of a vigilant democracy.
The Left Party's Demand for Action
Recently, the Left party initiated a memorial day for the 8th of May in Sachsen. The party leadership, Susanne Schaper and Stefan Hartmann, express profound concern, stating, "We must never forget that the echo of countless lives lost resounds in the day of liberation. Joy should never obscure the cautionary memory - and even less the responsibility we bear as a result. Fascism has not been defeated." The party advocates for the incorporation of an anti-fascist clause in Sachsen's state constitution.
[1] [Enrichment Data: Major German companies like Deutsche Bank and Mercedes-Benz jointly acknowledged their historical responsibilities during the Nazi era and emphasized the importance of actively remembering the crimes committed, standing firm against hatred and antisemitism, and recognizing the fragility of democracy.]
[2] [Enrichment Data: The CEOs of these companies pointed out that democracy demands active participation, conviction, and courage, citing the past failures in 1933 when too many remained silent or complicit.]
[3] [Enrichment Data: The commemoration particularly honors the liberation of the Sachsenhausen concentration camp by the Red Army, serving as a reminder to never forget the horrors uncovered there.]
[4] [Enrichment Data: The immense civilian and military casualties (up to 85 million worldwide, including 6 million Jews systematically murdered) serve as a grim reminder of the bitter consequences of war and fascism.]
[5] [Enrichment Data: German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier also highlighted the German responsibility for the wars and stressed the significance of maintaining unity in Europe to safeguard peace and democratic values.]
- German political leaders, including those from major companies like Deutsche Bank and Mercedes-Benz, are urging the public to remember the crimes committed during the Nazi era, stand firm against hatred and antisemitism, and recognize the fragility of democracy.
- The leaders emphasize that democracy demands active participation, conviction, and courage, citing past failures in 1933 when too many remained silent or complicit.
- The commemoration of the end of World War II, particularly the liberation of the Sachsenhausen concentration camp by the Red Army, serves as a reminder to never forget the horrors uncovered there.
- The immense civilian and military casualties (up to 85 million worldwide, including 6 million Jews systematically murdered) serve as a grim reminder of the bitter consequences of war and fascism.
- Saxony's State Parliament President, Alexander Dierks, and the Social Democratic Party (SPD) leader, Henning Homann, warn of the ongoing responsibility to draw lessons from the past, share those lessons, and ensure peace and democracy to prevent future generations from experiencing war and dictatorship.
- The Left party in Sachsen has initiated a memorial day for the 8th of May, emphasizing the need to remember the echo of countless lives lost, never obscuring the cautionary memory, and advocating for an anti-fascist clause in the state constitution.
