Overview

• The inner-German border was closed on May 26, 1952, by the East German government, marking a key moment in the division of Germany during the Cold War.
• The closure led to significant human suffering, including forced displacement of residents deemed politically unreliable and the deaths of many attempting to escape.
• A commemoration event is scheduled for May 27, 2025, at the Hötensleben border memorial in Saxony-Anhalt, featuring speeches, wreath-laying, and a student-led reading.
• Evelyn Zupke, the SED Victims Commissioner at the German Bundestag, is expected to attend and deliver remarks during the ceremony.
• The event underscores the ongoing importance of remembering the human cost of the border and fostering historical awareness among younger generations.