With a state ceremony between the Reichstag building and the Chancellery, the leaders of state and society will celebrate the entry into force of the Basic Law 75 years ago on Thursday (12 noon). May 23, 1949 also marks the founding date of the Federal Republic of Germany. The Peaceful Revolution in the GDR, which is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, will also be remembered. This ultimately led to the Basic Law, which initially only applied to West Germany, becoming the constitution for all of Germany.
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who ordered the state ceremony, will give the central speech. “This Basic Law is the basis for freedom, democracy and law to determine coexistence in our state,” writes Steinmeier on his website. In his view, the constitution has proven to be stable and adaptable over the past 75 years and has overcome numerous crises and challenges.
Changes to the Basic Law since 1949
75 years ago, the Basic Law stipulated that the most important parts may not be changed. Human dignity in Article One, federalism and the principles of democracy, the welfare state and the rule of law in Article 20 are protected by the so-called eternity clause. However, much else has been changed – with a total of 67 amending laws since 1949. An overview in photos.
Source: Stern
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