INTERNATIONAL DAY

National East Meets West Day

National East Meets West Day is a small but real reason to pause, notice, and celebrate — together if we can.

APR25

Sunday, April 25Every year on April 25

days to go

Roots: Commemorates the April 25, 1945 meeting of Allied forces on the Elbe River
Vibe: Reflective and educational, honoring Allied history.
Also on Apr 25: World Penguin Day · Parental Alienation Day · World Malaria Day
Hashtag: #NationalEastMeetsWestDay

Add to my calendar Send a card Email a friend

Apple or Outlook calendar

Ways to celebrate

Small, doable ways to celebrate National East Meets West Day.

Do one small thing that makes the day feel marked.
Tell someone what you're celebrating and why.
Share a post, a photo, or a memory connected to it.
Make a tiny tradition — something you could do again next year.
Let it be simple. Not every celebration has to be a production.

Make it your kind of celebration

Family
Do one small thing together that everyone will remember.
Kids
Turn it into a craft, a story, or a snack — meet them where they are.
Couples
Use the day as an excuse for a little intentional time together.
Office
Acknowledge the day in the team chat or at a stand-up. Small, sincere, fast.
School
Anchor a short lesson or activity around the day.
Community
Share, volunteer, or donate to make the day mean something locally.
Just me
Celebrate quietly and completely. One person can still mark a day.

Plan ahead

National East Meets West Day is observed on April 25 every year. Here is where it lands for the next ten years, handy for planners, marketers and party people.

2026Sat, Apr 25this year

2027Sun, Apr 25

2028Tue, Apr 25

2029Wed, Apr 25

2030Thu, Apr 25

2031Fri, Apr 25

2032Sun, Apr 25

2033Mon, Apr 25

2034Tue, Apr 25

2035Wed, Apr 25

2036Fri, Apr 25

Add to my calendar (repeats yearly)

Fast facts

World War II had raged for over six years when the Elbe meeting took place

The River Elbe is 1,094 kilometers long, flowing through the Czech Republic and Germany.

The story

National East Meets West Day, observed on April 25, commemorates the day the Eastern Front of the Allied forces met the Western front on the River Elbe in 1945. Also known as Elbe Day, it marked an important step toward ending World War II.

Read the full story

In April of 1945, the Allies were marching toward peace. On April 25th, patrols from both armies met on the River Elbe south of Berlin, outside Torgau, Germany. The first to make contact were American First Lieutenant Albert Kotzebue and Soviet Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Gardiev, along with their commands.

Two days later, photographers commemorated the meeting of the Eastern and Western fronts, and the images became an enduring symbol of Allied cooperation in the war's final days.

Today, the day is observed by learning more about World War II history, visiting a history museum, and honoring those who served and those who helped bring the war to a close.

Did you know?

Also Known As Elbe Day

East Meets West Day is also known as Elbe Day, for the river where the armies met.

Six Years of War

World War II had been raging for over six years when the Elbe meeting took place.

1,094 Kilometers

The River Elbe is 1,094 kilometers long, flowing through the Czech Republic and Germany to the North Sea.

Orders Not to Meet

Commanders had ordered their units not to make contact, yet patrols met in a small boat on the river.

The Monument

A monument in Torgau commemorates the meeting of troops on the River Elbe.

April 25, 1945

April 25, 1945: an important step toward ending World War II in Europe.

Share the Day

Share the day with #EastMeetsWestDay or #ElbeDay.

Around the world

Every culture celebrates a little differently.

·The MeetingOn April 25, 1945, the Eastern and Western fronts of the Allied forces met on the River Elbe.
·TorgauThe two armies met south of Berlin, outside Torgau on the River Elbe; a monument there commemorates the day.
·The LieutenantsFirst to make contact: American First Lieutenant Albert Kotzebue and Soviet Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Gardiev.
·The PhotographsTwo days later, photographers commemorated the meeting, images that became an enduring symbol of Allied cooperation.
·Elbe Day TodayIn Torgau, Germany, Elbe Day events are held annually to mark the historic meeting.
·Joint StatementOn the 65th anniversary, U.S. and Russian presidents issued a joint statement commemorating Elbe Day.