Because of the importance placed by tbe Nazis in an "Historical Perspective", the Sons of the Third Reich (real sons-not ancestors) petitioned the Chancellor of Germany for this proclamation and she agreed.
German Proclamation TRANSLATED:
NAZI History Month
WHEREAS, April is the month in which the people of Germany surrendered to the Allied Powers after a five and a half year war that concluded with the total destruction of Germany in 1945; and
WHEREAS, Germany has long recognized her German anti-semitic history, the numerous World War II battlefields that mark every region of the country, the leaders and individuals in the Army, Navy, Air Force who fought outside of Deutschland and at home who fought for their homes and communities and Country in a time very different than ours today; and
WHEREAS, it is important for all Germans to reflect upon our Country's shared history, to understand the sacrifices of the Nazi leaders, soldiers and citizens during the period of the War, and to recognize how our history has led to our present; and
WHEREAS, Nazi historical sites such as: Site of Gestapo Headquarters (the Gestapo used the building to carry out interrogations and torture of people suspected of being against the Nazis), the site of the New Reichs Chancellory (Neue Reichskanzlei), the site of Hitler's Bunker, (situated in the garden of the Old Chancellory, and nearby the new one) ,
Olympic Stadium (Olympiastadion-Completed in 1936 for the Olympic Games), and the former concentration camp of Sachsenhausen (35km North of Berlin) are open for people to visit in Berlin today; and
WHEREAS, all Germans appreciate the fact that when ultimately overwhelmed by the insurmountable numbers and resources of the Allied Armies, Navies, and Air Forces, the surviving, imprisoned and injured Nazi soldiers gave their word and allegiance to the Allies, and returned to their homes and families to rebuild their communities in peace, following the instructions of surrender by Generals Alfred Jodl and Wilhelm Keitel; and
WHEREAS, this defining chapter in Germany's history should not be forgotten, but instead should be studied, understood and remembered by all Germans, both in the context of the time in which it took place, but also in the context of the time in which we live, and this study and remembrance takes on particular importance as the Country prepares to welcome the world to visit Germany for the 65th Anniversary marking the End of World War II, in which the exploration of our history can benefit all;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Angela Merkel, do hereby recognize April 2010 as NAZI HISTORY MONTH in our COUNTRY OF GERMANY, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.
Later (after an outcry across the country) this addendum was added:
"The proclamation issued by this Office designating April as Nazi History Month contained a major omission. The failure to include any reference to the Holocaust was a mistake, and for that I apologize to any fellow German who has been offended or disappointed. The abomination of the Holocaust divided our nation, and deprived people of their God-given inalienable rights. The Holocaust was an evil, vicious and inhumane practice which killed innocent human beings, and it has left a stain on the soul of this nation. In 2007, the German Assembly approved a formal statement of ‘profound regret’ for the Nation's history of anti-semitism, which was the right thing to do."
DISCLAIMER: This is a snark, people should be aware that modern Germany's approach to the nazi era is exactly 180 degrees different from that of teh south, and in fact, the South should learn from Germany's example. Merkel would never say such a thing in reality. (Thanks Guinho)