commemorative day
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commemorative day
A specific day of the year on which an important historical event or significant person is officially remembered.
Der 9. November ist in Deutschland ein wichtiger Gedenktag mit vielfältiger historischer Bedeutung.
November 9 is an important commemorative day in Germany with a wide range of historical significance.
The word is made up of the verb 'gedenken' (to commemorate, to remember) and the noun 'Tag' (day). So it is literally a 'day of remembrance.'
An diesem Tag gedenken wir der Opfer des Krieges.
On this day, we commemorate the victims of the war.
To say what is being remembered, you usually use the preposition 'an' with the accusative or the genitive. Both are correct.
Der 27. Januar ist der Gedenktag an die Opfer des Nationalsozialismus.
January 27 is the commemorative day for the victims of National Socialism.
Common adjectives are 'offiziell' (official), 'national' (national), or 'jährlich' (annual). The verb 'begehen' is often used to express that the day is observed with ceremonies or events.
Die Stadt begeht den Gedenktag mit einer Kranzniederlegung.
The city observes the commemorative day with a wreath-laying ceremony.
anniversary
'das Jubiläum' and 'der Gedenktag' both have to do with an important day in the past. A 'Jubiläum' is usually a celebration because a special number of years has passed since an event, for example 25 or 50 years. A 'Gedenktag' is a fixed day on which people officially remember a historical event or an important person. Learners may confuse the words because both have to do with remembrance. As a practical rule: for celebrations and round-number anniversaries, 'Jubiläum' fits better; for official remembrance, 'Gedenktag' fits better.
Am Gedenktag spricht die Bürgermeisterin über die Geschichte der Stadt.
On the commemorative day, the mayor talks about the history of the city.
Die Firma feiert im Sommer ihr 50-jähriges Jubiläum.
The company is celebrating its 50th anniversary this summer.