Reformation Day

Today, October 31st 2026, Germany remembers October 31st 1517, when Martin Luther, the monk, nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the Chapel of Wittenberg Castle (Eastern Germany). He demanded freedom from the Pope's and the Catholic Church's authority. Martin Luther criticised the Pope's hypocrisy for asking for money in return for letters that forgave sinners' sins. The money collected was intended to build St. Peter's Dome in Rome and, in the process, to build Vatican City.

When Martin Luther was asked by the Pope's envoy to retract his statements and demands, he proudly answered: „Here I stand. I can do nothing otherwise.“ He was called a free man meaning anyone gotten hold of him had the right to kill him. A royal friend sheltered him in his castle, where he translated the bible into German for anyone to read and understand.

It is the same day when protestors in Germany from Gen Z will express their anger about the state of affairs in Germany, with looters taking their chance to mix with the youth and in their shadow engage in criminal acts of stealing and smashing cars and shops.

The fundamental changes Martin Luther had asked for ended in the 30 year war of 1618-1648, with battlefields across Europe. Over one hundred years of disorientation between the old order and the new way forward. In Africa, European Imperialism and disorientation mounted in battles among European conquerors for their place under the sun.

For non-Germans or Germans with little interest and knowledge about national and global history, live-streaming it is another public holiday with scenes of violence on German TV stations and live-streamed on social media channels. Late, when darkness creeps through the cold streets of Germany, children in small groups will come out to ask for sweets and treats. Their innocent souls know nothing about the meaning of ; they know it as Halloween and an American tradition funny to copy.

Not everything Americans think and do do we in Europe and the rest of the world need to copy...not for fun! Unless we can truly and proudly say the rest of our lives: “Here I stand. I can do nothing otherwise!”