Germany has officially established a national Veterans Day (Veteranentag) to be observed annually on June 15th. This date was formally approved by the German parliament in April 2024 to honor the service and commitment of all current and former soldiers of the Bundeswehr, Germany's modern armed forces.
This newly created observance is distinct from Germany's traditional day of remembrance, the Volkstrauertag (People's Day of Mourning). The Volkstrauertag is a solemn public holiday held on the second Sunday before the first day of Advent, typically in mid-to-late November. Its purpose is to commemorate all victims of war and tyranny, including members of the armed forces and civilians. In contrast, the new Veteranentag on June 15th is specifically designed to be a day of recognition and appreciation for the living veterans of the Bundeswehr, which was founded in 1955.
Therefore, while the Volkstrauertag in November remains the national day for mourning the dead of all armed conflicts, June 15th is now the designated date for actively honoring the service of the nation's veterans. The establishment of this separate day reflects a shift towards public recognition for the contributions and sacrifices made by military personnel in post-World War II Germany.
