80 years of the second republic: Upper Austria's eventful history celebrated!

80 years of the second republic: Upper Austria's eventful history celebrated!

On May 18, 2025, the second Republic of Austria celebrates its 80th birthday. Several thousands of Austrians born in spring 1945 celebrate this significant occasion. The Republic was officially proclaimed on April 27, 1945 in Vienna. The Austrian Radio (ORF) dedicates a comprehensive multimedia program to this anniversary under the title "80 Years of the Second Republic", which includes nine documentaries that were produced by ORF's state studios and tell the history of Austria in its various regions.

In the documentaries, "Birthday Children" from 1945 have their say, which report on their own career and that of their families. The upcoming broadcast of the documentary "Our Austria: Upper Austria - shared, united, grown" on May 19, 2025 at 10.30 p.m. This program focuses on the eventful history of Upper Austria, which was divided for a decade after the Second World War - into a Soviet zone north of the Danube and an American zone in the south. In 1945 Upper Austria was a country full of homeless cities and a variety of refugees.

from the occupation to prosperity

After the occupation and the end of this period in 1955, the change of Upper Austria began an important technology and cultural location. The 1940s and 1950s were shaped by the reconstruction work, but also of great challenges, such as natural disasters. In the 1960s, many families experienced a social rise and prosperity, which laid the foundation stone for a more stable society.

The 1970s brought social upheavals and an increased striving for equality. During this time, the Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ) ruled under Bruno Kreisky, which implemented remarkable reforms. The introduction of a modern welfare state, without tuition fees and with the legal equality of women, was a significant progress. Nevertheless, the SPÖ also had to accept setbacks, which were favored, for example, by discussion about nuclear power and the emergence of right -wing populism in the Freedom Party (FPÖ).

Austria in the European context

Austria's path to sovereignty and neutrality after the Second World War was of great importance. The Second World War ended on May 8, 1945 with the unconditional surrender of Germany, and state education in Austria began after the liberation from Nazi rule. The country was divided into four occupation zones, a structure that affected the political situation and created a new party landscape with the formation of the SPÖ, the ÖVP and the KPÖ.

It was only in 1955 that Austria was confident and committed to neutrality that was constitutionally anchored. Economic growth slowly started after the war, but delayed in the former Soviet areas. The political upheavals in the 1980s and the unrest in the Balkans in the 1990s led to a high level of refugee in Austria, which shaped the country's humanitarian commitment.

Overall, the history of Austria has been shaped by numerous challenges and changes since 1945 that have accompanied the country on its way to today. The documentation of the ORF, which includes the work of contemporary witnesses and experts, will help to bring people closer to this eventful story and to reflect on Austria.

Further information on this important anniversary and the developments in the second Republic of Austria are under ots.at and History Austria available.