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.
holiday
Both words refer to an officially designated special day. „Feiertag“ emphasizes that the day is legally established and is generally a day off work, while „Gedenktag“ emphasizes remembering a historical event or a person. A commemorative day is therefore not automatically a public holiday.
Am Gedenktag erinnern wir uns an die Opfer des historischen Ereignisses.
On the commemorative day, we remember the victims of the historical event.
Am gesetzlichen Feiertag bleiben die meisten Geschäfte geschlossen.
Most stores remain closed on the public holiday.
