Ich komme aus den U.S.A.

The above translates, "I am from the U.S.". This week in class we had to give presentations about our homelands. It was so interesting. Then, we also spend a lot of time learning about Austria, its history, its heritage.

Tomorrow, October 26, is an Austrian National holiday. Last year I was just glad to get a few days out of school. This year I've been intrigued by the reason my countrymen celebrate.

The signing of the Austrian State Treaty re-established Austria as a sovereign state. From 1945-1955 Austria was occupied by the Soviet Union, the USA, the United Kingdom, and France. Our current hometown was divided into these 4 zones as well.

The treaty granted Austria recognition as a permanent neutral country and prohibited the political union with the new Germany and Nazi and fascist organizations.

Tomorrow we are going to go to Heldenplatz and celebrate Austrias independence. Ironically, the very place Austrians will celebrate is the same place that in 1938 Hitler made his announcement of the Anschluss of Austria to the German Reich.

Making history in historical places,
Christina