If you work with Germany, you may know that they are currently enjoying another public holiday - with some states even getting two days off in a row! However, the 31st of October – known as  Reformationstag – is not an annual public holiday for the majority of German states. In fact, this year is the first and only time that some states are celebrating it.

It all dates back to 31st of October 1517, the date that the monk Martin Luther is believed to have nailed his 95 theses to the door of All Saints' Church in Wittenberg, This year therefore marks the 500th anniversary of this important date in the history of Christianity, an event thought by many to have sparked the Reformation. 

The day is normally celebrated by the German states in eastern Germany (interestingly, it is also a public holiday in Slovenia and Chile!), though the public holiday has been extended to all German states on a one-off basis this year in commemoration of the 500th anniversary. On top of that, the 1st of November is also a public holiday in the predominantly Catholic states in south and south-west Germany, which is why a lot of Germans are currently enjoying two public holidays in a row.
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I did a translation about Martin Luther's life last year, which was really fascinating. BBC iPlayer also has an excellent two-part German drama about his role in the Reformation if you are keen to learn more.

As many people may know, the 3rd of October is a special day in Germany. This public holiday celebrates the reunification of East and West Germany in 1990. What some people may not know is that this day also celebrates another type of togetherness in Germany...

As well as being Tag der Deutschen Einheit (literal translation: Day of German Unity), 3rd of October is also Tag der offenen Moschee (Day of the Open Mosque). Although they welcome visitors all year round, this day sees mosques around Germany host various talks, readings, exhibitions and guided tours in a bid to promote togetherness in the German community.

​First set up in 1997, the event has gone on to attract large numbers each year. Organisers intentionally chose to hold the event on Tag der Deutschen Einheit in order to highlight its goal of promoting understanding between religions  and to emphasise solidarity between all members of German society.