May 8th: A day of liberation or a shadow of the past?

May 8th: A day of liberation or a shadow of the past?

On May 14, 2025, experts and historians will shed light on the ongoing debates about liberation from National Socialism, highlighting their diverse perspectives and historical contexts. A current ZEIT survey conducted on March 27th shows that over half of Germans would like to see an end to discussions about the Nazi past. At the same time, the majority of respondents expressed the view that only a few people were responsible for the crimes of National Socialism and that society as a whole was not guilty. These findings raise questions about perceptions of liberation.

Thomas Kück, one of the discussion participants, questions the idea of ​​a final line. He looks at the different historical developments in East and West Germany and points out that many women in the East were unable to experience the violence they suffered as liberation. Tobias Lenz, another speaker, emphasizes that Germany was liberated from fascism on May 8, 1945, not by its own efforts, but by the Allies. Lenz sees this day as the beginning of a success story that also includes Germany's international responsibility.

Historical contexts and perceptions

Liberation from National Socialism is often equated with the end of the National Socialist dictatorship, marked by the unconditional surrender of the Wehrmacht in 1945. In the post-war period, May 8th was more of a symbol of defeat for many Germans. This is reflected in the fact that in the GDR the day was celebrated as “Liberation Day”, while in the Federal Republic it was shrouded in silence for a long time. Richard von Weizsäcker noted in 1985 that liberation came “from outside” and illuminates the ambiguity of this anniversary. Kück and Lenz emphasize Germany's responsibility to preserve, so to speak, a collective memory, including advocating for Israel's right to exist and strengthening international law.

A central topic in the current discussion is the responsibility of today's student generation. This requires questioning the complex memories and finding a balance between individual and collective memories. The challenges of the culture of remembrance, which are also evident in the growing revisionist currents and the increase in right-wing extremist parties, make a differentiated examination of history all the more necessary. The survey, which shows a majority in favor of putting an end to the crimes of the Nazi regime, is an alarming sign that could trigger far-reaching discussions in society.

Future challenges of the culture of remembrance

Eight decades after the Second World War, the culture of remembrance and the politics associated with it are facing several challenges. With the disappearance of many contemporary witnesses who were not children in 1945, preserving these historical events is becoming increasingly difficult. The EU, with its diversity of societies, has further strengthened plural perspectives on history. The confrontation with National Socialism remains a controversial topic for German society.

In order to structure the memory narratives, the different perspectives in the context of East and West Germany are particularly crucial. Against the background of the recent discussion about a public holiday on May 8th, it is clear that this day, although it has not been legally recognized, could offer more space for the examination of the Federal Republic's political self-image. There are calls to recognize May 8th as a nationwide holiday in order to give the day status as an important part of German history.

The questions about memory and responsibility are more relevant today than ever. The challenges to the culture of remembrance and commemoration not only deviate from the past, but also confront society with its own identity and the lessons of history. In a Germany that has become more diverse, the need to reformulate the values ​​of memory politics is becoming apparent in order to make a consensus-based and respectful discourse possible.

Further details and different perspectives on this topic can be found in the various reports, including on Leuphana, Wikipedia, and PRIF blog.