Berlin - Europe's wartorn past needs to be remembered to adequately appreciate today's peace and stability, European leaders said Sunday as they gathered in Berlin to commemorate Germany's national day of mourning. The fact that more than 60 years of peace followed the bloodshed of World War II is a "European miracle," said Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker, speaking in the Reichstag, which houses Germany's parliament.
"Anyone who doubts in Europe or despairs for Europe should visit soldiers' cemeteries," he said.
German President Horst Koehler and a host of representatives from the German legislature, political parties and religious bodies participated in the ceremony. Before the Reichstag ceremony, the heads of Germany's various government bodies laid wreaths at a memorial to victims of war and tyranny.
The memorial was vandalized Saturday night when unknown people sprayed it with Stars of David. An investigation is ongoing.
The commemoration nearly coincides with the 90th anniversary of the end of World War I. In a separate ceremony, Wolfgang Schneiderhan, the inspector general of the Bundeswehr, or German military, laid a wreath at a cemetery in eastern Berlin to honour German soldiers of Jewish descent who died in that conflict.
In his speech, Juncker also remembered the victims of various wars, conflicts and dictatorships. He specifically commemorated those who died during the decades-long division of Germany.
"We need a European culture of memory, so that we do not limit ourselves to commemorations."
Hans-Gert Poettering, president of the European Parliament, also spoke. "As Europeans, we can only be successful together," he said, noting that the continent will only be up to the challenges of the 21st century if its citizens work together.
The day of mourning began in 1920 as a way to commemorate the dead of World War I. It was turned into a day to honour national heroes under the Nazi regime, but returned to its original intent in 1950.
