https://www.dw.com/en/east-germanys-1953-uprising-values-still-at-stake-in-war-in-ukraine/a-62173164
//What happened during the 1953 uprising?
The popular uprising began as a strike by construction workers, angered over increased demands on labor by the Soviet Union-backed SED government in East Germany
Unrest concerning various reform proposals from Moscow had been brewing since they were floated in May that year, and the national strike began on June 16, by which point the Soviet Union was already in the process of watering down its demands for increased productivity from the same number of workers. But the protests persisted and news of them also started filtering through on Western media.
By the morning of June 17, 1953, Soviet tanks had entered the environs of East Berlin ready to meet the tens of thousands of people taking to the streets in the GDR's capital.
Protesters also began demanding the resignation of the GDR government, the release of political prisoners, free elections and German reunification.
Protests and strikes were also held in over 700 cities and towns throughout the GDR.
The demonstration was especially notable as the first time a popular movement had challenged the communist government in an Eastern bloc state.
Soviet forces were called in by the East German government, with tanks opening fire on demonstrators in East Berlin Image: AP Photo/picture alliance
The East German government asked Soviet troops to aid East German police in quelling the uprising. Soviet tanks fired on crowds, killing and wounding many.
At least 55 people are confirmed to have died — but the actual death toll is believed to be as high as 250.
Several protesters are also thought to have been executed in the aftermath, while an estimated 15,000 people were arrested.
Former West Germany made June 17 a national holiday, called the "Day of Germany Unity," to commemorate the uprising.
The holiday was changed to October 3 after East and West Germany were reunited in October 1990.//
