Changes in memory: How May 8, 1945 is reinterpreted!

Changes in memory: How May 8, 1945 is reinterpreted!

On June 12, 2025, the University of Heidelberg will devote its Ruperto Carola lecture series to the important topic of reinterpreting the end of the Second World War. In particular, May 8, 1945, often considered the “zero hour,” is examined closely. In his lecture, the historian Prof. Martin Sabrow illuminates how the change in memory has taken place in the German culture of remembrance. Increasingly, this day is seen less as a sign of surrender than as a day of liberation uni-heidelberg.de reported.

“Zero Hour” refers to the total defeat and the dissolution of all existing orders in Germany. Nevertheless, this way of speaking loses its evidentiary value and is viewed by some, like Sabrow, as a repression of the past. This critical discussion opens up the much more complex picture of the transition from the Nazi dictatorship to the Federal Republic.

A controversial place of remembrance

May 8, 1945 continues to be discussed as a symbolic moment of Germany's collapse. The country was in ruins, both materially and morally. It is debatable how abrupt the transition into a new era took place. The change was characterized by resignation, but also by a spirit of optimism. Old elites remained a defining force in this transition phase, which illustrates the complexity of the social mood at the time. Tagesspiegel.de highlights that the view of commemorating May 8 as Liberation Day has become a consensus almost 80 years after the end of the war.

The Ruperto Carola lecture series is entitled “1945: Epoch Threshold and Space of Experience” and will be led by historian Prof. Dr. Manfred Berg conceived. This series covers both retrospective interpretations and reconstructions of human experiences. Sabrow's lecture will be followed by three further events, which will take place on Mondays in the auditorium of the Old University.

The culture of remembrance is changing

The changes in the memory of the Second World War are reflected not only in academic debates, but also in wider society. In a conversation between political scientist Herfried Münkler and Elisabeth Luft, central lessons from the end of the war are discussed. The transatlantic West is seen as a crucial geopolitical and economic force facing today's challenges. It should be noted that military border shifts often do not produce the desired results. Münkler emphasizes that the learning process from the Yugoslav wars shows how fragile the motto “never again war” is. Goethe.de also describes the parallels between the peace negotiations in 1945 and current conflicts, such as the situation in Ukraine, which illustrates the global challenges.

A central aspect of the change in memory is the increasingly diminishing role that the end of the war plays for younger generations. This generation has no direct memories and relies on narratives. However, awareness of the past encourages reflection on the responsibility and actions of our ancestors. Active engagement with history is of great importance for future war prevention and the avoidance of authoritarian structures.

Martin Sabrow's lecture on June 12th is part of a larger discussion that addresses the social and political consequences of remembering the end of the war. Recordings of the events will soon be available on heiONLINE in order to pass on knowledge about this crucial era to future generations.