17 June 1953 in Jena and Thuringia
A date that has been burnt into the memory of the inhabitants of Jena
On 17 June 1953, more than 20,000 people gathered in the streets of this city on the river Saale. In the first half of the 20th century, Jena had been one of Germany’s quieter places, with no notable strikes or civil unrest. But 17 June 1953 was a day of revolt. How did this come about? Find out more on a tour of the sites connected to this historical day.