German Government’s WWII Memory Building on Commemorative Days, 1945–2025

Contemporary international relations are deeply influenced by historical reflection, and how a state deals with its legacy directly affects its international image and identity. Germany’s postwar reckoning with the Second World War serves as a paradigmatic case, where the construction of cultural memory reveals an evolution of historical consciousness shaped largely by official initiatives. Cultural memory, understood as the transmission of historical memory through cultural symbols, in the German context refers specifically to the ongoing critical engagement with Nazi crimes and the Holocaust. This memory is not static but has undergone a tortuous development from initial rejection and silence to active assumption of responsibility, eventually becoming a core component of German national identity. Memorial days, as state-sponsored vehicles, function both as pivot points for historical reflection and as witnesses to the transformation of cultural memory. Focusing on the commemorative date of 8 May (the end of the war in Europe), this paper analyzes the dynamic nature of German cultural memory. The findings show that in the early postwar period, German society resisted the notion of “collective guilt,” and under Adenauer the government maintained a conservative stance. Brandt’s “Warsaw Genuflection” marked a turn toward active remorse. Under Kohl, the concept of a “spiritual‑moral turnaround” was advanced, and the Nazi past gradually became “normalized” in public discourse. Since the beginning of the 21st century, Holocaust memory has been integrated more deeply into national identity, with an increasingly ritualized and educational focus on 8 May. Germany’s experience demonstrates that confronting historical truth is essential for building a peaceful identity. Its path toward reconciliation through cultural memory offers a reference for the international community, promoting a shared commitment to learning from history and cherishing peace.