Mitte in Leipzig, Saxony, Germany — Central Europe
Schweigemarsch zum Gedenken an die Pogromnacht
Orte der Friedlichen Revolution
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Silent March in Memory of the Pogrom
Sites of the Peaceful Revolution
| — | '89 | — |
Photographed by James Hulse, March 11, 2026
1. Schweigemarsch zum Gedenken an die Pogromnacht / Silent March in Memory of the Pogrom
9. November 1989
Schweigemarsch zum Gedenken an die Pogromnacht
Am 9. November 1989 fiel in Berlin die Mauer. Am selben Abend erinnerten zehntausende Menschen in Leipzig auf einem vom Neuen Forum initiierten Schweigemarsch an den 51. Jahrestag der Reichspogromnacht. Bereits seit 1983 hatten Leipziger Bürgerrechtsgruppen unabhängige Gedenkveranstaltungen organisiert. Die Erinnerung an den Holocaust und die Auseinandersetzung mit rechtsextremen Tendenzen war immer auch fester Bestandteil der DDR-Bürgerbewegung, teils gegen den Widerstand der SED-Diktatur.
Auch im Jahr der Friedlichen Revolution liefen die Teilnehmer vom Nikolaikirchhof mit Kerzen durch die Innenstadt bis zur Gottschedstraße, um auf dem ehemaligen Standort der Synagoge der jüdischen Opfer des Nationalsozialismus zu gedenken.
Nur einen Tag zuvor, am 8. November 1989, hatte die SED das Neue Forum offiziell zulassen müssen. Damit war eine weitere Kernforderung der Demonstranten erfüllt. Der Schweigemarsch war die erste genehmigte nichtstaatliche Demonstration in Leipzig.
Foto: Fritz Cahlbeck (MRE)
November 9, 1989
Silent march in memory of the pogrom
On November 9, 1989, the Berlin Wall fell. On the same evening, tens of thousands of people in Leipzig took part in a silent march initiated by the New Forum in remembrance of the 51st anniversary of the "Night of Broken Glass" (Reichspogromnacht). Since 1983, the Leipzig civil rights groups had organized independent commemorative events. The memory of the Holocaust and the confrontation with far-right tendencies had always been an integral part of the GDR citizens' movement, sometimes against the resistance of the SED dictatorship.
On this day in the year of the Peaceful Revolution, the participants also walked from St. Nicholas' Church with candles through the inner city to Gottschedstraße to commemorate the Jewish victims of National Socialism at the former location of their synagogue.
Just a day earlier, on November 8, 1989, the SED had to officially authorize the New Forum. Thus another key demand of the protesters was met. The silent march was the first approved non-government demonstration in Leipzig.
Photo: Fritz Cahlbeck (MRE)
Erected by Stadt
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the The Holocaust series list. A significant historical date for this entry is November 9, 1989.
Location. 51° 20.393′ N, 12° 22.256′ E. Marker is in Leipzig, Sachsen (Saxony). It is in Mitte. It is at the intersection of Dittrichring and Gottschedstraße, on the right when traveling south on Dittrichring. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Dittrichring 13, Leipzig SN 04109, Germany. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, Central Europe, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Thomaskirche / St. Thomas Church (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Thomaskirche Leipzig / St. Thomas Church (about 120 meters away); Anna Magdalena Bach (about 150 meters away); Alte Thomasschule / Old St. Thomas School
Photographed by James Hulse, March 11, 2026
2. Schweigemarsch zum Gedenken an die Pogromnacht / Silent March in Memory of the Pogrom
Photographed by James Hulse, March 11, 2026
3. Schweigemarsch zum Gedenken an die Pogromnacht / Silent March in Memory of the Pogrom
View of the reverse side of the marker from across the street.
Photographed by James Hulse, March 11, 2026
4. Schweigemarsch zum Gedenken an die Pogromnacht / Silent March in Memory of the Pogrom
The view of the marker with St. Thomas Church across the street in the background.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 29, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 28, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 29, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
