“Barricade on Kronenstraße and Friedrichstraße on 18. March, 1848” and "People's Chamber election on 18. March, 1990, in the Palace of the Republic
© Paul Singer e.V. / Public Domain / Bundesarchiv, Photo 183-1990-0318-037 / Settnik, Bernd, CC-BY-SA 3.0
Historical scene of a revolution on the left, modern event with crowds on the right in black and white.
Past events
{{ time.start_TS | TS2dateFormat('DD') }}
{{ time.start_TS | TS2dateFormat('MMM') }}
{{ time.start_TS | TS2dateFormat('YYYY') }}

Democracy History Day in March 2026 will focus on two dates that are closely linked to the history of the place: March 18, 1848, with the “March Revolution,” and March 18, 1990, with the first free People’s Chamber election in the GDR. In both moments, political engagement suddenly became visible and effective. Whether protests in the Tiergarten, reading cafés, and “cat music” in 1848 or round tables, Monday demonstrations, and new participation forums in 1989/90. The panel will discuss how protest became political practice. And what we can learn from these historical upheavals for our democracy today.

Conversation with

Dr. Claudia Gatzka, Research Associate for Modern and Contemporary History of Western Europe, Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg, Co-Chair of the Board of Trustees of forum 1848 at the Cemetery of the March Fallen

and

Prof. Dr. Paul Nolte, Professor of Modern History and Contemporary History, Free University of Berlin

Moderated by Dr. Hanno Hochmuth, Research Associate and Project Manager at the Leibniz Lab “Social Upheavals and Transformations,” Leibniz Center for Contemporary History Research Potsdam

Welcome by Dr. Judith Prokasky, Stiftung Humboldt Forum im Berliner Schloss

An event marking the nationwide Day of Democracy History.

An event organized by:

forum 1848 at the Cemetery of the March Fallen, Leibniz Center for Contemporary History Research Potsdam (ZZF), and Stiftung Humboldt Forum im Berliner Schloss

The event will be preceded by a city tour with Paul Schmitz (forum 1848) on the topic. Meeting point at 3:45 p.m. at the World Clock on Alexanderplatz, ending at 4:45 p.m. at the Humboldt Forum.

Newsletter

Verpassen Sie keine News und Updates zu unserem Programm!

Jetzt Anmelden