Skip next section What you need to know
What you need to know
- July 20, Germany commemorates the resistance to the Nazi reign of terror in Berlin in 1944
- Germany’s top diplomat begins 3-nation Africa visit that takes in Mauritania, Nigeria and South Africa
Below you can read some of the top stories coming out of Germany on Monday, July 20:
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Skip next section German’s Wadephul heads to Africa for three-nation visit07/20/2026July 20, 2026
German’s Wadephul heads to Africa for three-nation visit
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul travels to Africa on Monday.
The first destination will be Mauritania followed by Nigeria and then South Africa.
“Especially in times of global geopolitical upheaval, reliable cooperation with African partners is crucial. For Germany and Europe, this is about more than the obvious interest in a stable and prosperous neighboring continent,” Wadephul said in comments before leaving.
“It’s about making offers to one another. That’s why I’m visiting key African countries for the third time in just a few months,” Wadephul said.
The German diplomat is being accompanied by a business delegation, with the purpose of the visit trip also aimed at identifying opportunities for German companies and promoting private investment to support economic growth.
https://p.dw.com/p/5HPfJSkip next section Germany commemorates resistance to Nazi terror in Berlin07/20/2026July 20, 2026
Germany commemorates resistance to Nazi terror in Berlin
Commemoration events will be taking place in Berlin to remember those who stood up to Nationalist Socialist terror, with ceremonies being held at historic sites of the failed coup of 20 July 1944.
On this day 82 years ago, Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg attempted to assassinate Adolf Hitler by planting a bomb at the Wolf’s Lair headquarters. The device exploded, but failed to kill the Nazi leader.
Von Stauffenberg and three others involved in the plot to kill Hitler were summarily executed in the courtyard of the Bendler Block complex, the former headquarters of the Army High Command.
The site is one of several places of historical significance linked to the daring attempt on Hitler’s life. Each year ceremonies are held and wreaths are laid to remember those who died resisting the Nationalist Socialist reign of terror in Berlin.
One of the sites is the Plötzensee Memorial Center complex, which from 1933 and 1945 served as a prison and also a place of execution under the Nazi regime. According to the German government 2,800 people were executed there, among them, many opponents of the Nazis.
In 1953, a monument was created in the Bendler block to “to keep alive the memory of the men and women who took part in the resistance to National Socialism and aid the Germans in the necessary process of coming to terms with this part of their history,” the Domestic Protocol Office says on its website.
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https://p.dw.com/p/5HPm9Skip next section Welcome to our coverage07/20/2026July 20, 2026
Welcome to our coverage
Kieran Burke | Rana Taha Editor
Guten Morgen from the DW newsroom here in Bonn.
Today, Germany is remembering those who stood up to the Nazi regime with commemoration events marking 82 years since the failed coup attempt in 1944.
The actions of Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg in “Operation Valkyrie” would result in his summary execution, but also demonstrate the lengths some were willing to go to remove Adolf Hitler.
Meanwhile, Germany’s top diplomat heads to Africa as Berlin seeks to strengthen ties. Wadephul will be visiting Mauritania, Nigeria and South Africa on his whistle-stop visit.
Stay with us for these stories and more as we bring you all the latest from across Germany!
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