Looking Back: Celebration Week Marking the Constitution's Anniversary
On May 23, 2024, Germany celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Basic Law
On May 23, 1949, the Basic Law was promulgated, thereby establishing the Federal Republic of Germany. Initially intended as a provisional measure until the desired reunification, it has now been in effect for 75 years and, for just under 34 years, has applied to the entire territory of Germany. The Basic Law is not a rigid structure. It evolves and adapts to new challenges. Citizens’ fundamental rights are binding on all branches of government—including, for example, the courts, the police, and the Bundestag. They form the opening provisions of the Basic Law, symbolizing the fundamental importance of our fundamental rights—a lesson learned from the past.
Click on the images to go directly to the events.
Ready for the next 75 years?
Our annual program on the topic of "In guter Verfassung? Die Zukunft des Rechtsstaats" examines social issues and scenarios relevant to the rule of law and the Basic Law from various perspectives. Since its adoption by the Parliamentary Council 75 years ago, there have been 67 amendments to the Basic Law. Currently, for example, measures to protect the rule of law and the Federal Constitutional Court are being discussed.
During the week-long celebration, we discussed the future viability and significance of the Basic Law for our democracy in discussions, on panel discussions, at conferences, and—above all—on an equal footing with children, teenagers, and adults at bar tables in the middle of Pirna’s market square or at the German federal government’s major democracy festival in Berlin.
Here's a look back at the anniversary week:
- May 21, 2024 „A Robust Interim Solution? 75 Years of the Basic Law“ – A discussion event hosted by the Badische Landesbibliothek in cooperation with the Forum Recht Foundation in Karlsruhe
- May 22, 2024 „In Good Shape? The Constitution for Tomorrow“ – Release of Episode #2 of the live podcast with detektor.fm
- May 22, 2024 „1949 – 2024 – 2049: Remembering the Past, Mastering the Present, Shaping the Future" – Symposium organized by the Deutsche Gesellschaft e. V. in collaboration with the Forum Recht Foundation at Schöneberg City Hall, Berlin
- May 23, 2024: „75 Years of the Basic Law—Aspirations, Reality, and the Future"—Conference in cooperation with the Federal Agency for Civic Education and the Society for Civil Liberties at the Silent Green Kulturquartier, Berlin
- May 24–26, 2024: „Germany Celebrates 75 Years of the Basic Law" – Federal Government’s Festival of Democracy, Berlin
- May 25, 2024: „Market of Cultures" in Pirna
The Forum Recht Foundation would like to thank all event organizers and partners for their collaboration!
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