# North Rhine-Westphalia 80th anniversary celebrations > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/north-rhine-westphalia-80th-anniversary-celebrations > Updated: 2026-08-23T02:30:00.000Z. Sources: 18. Developments: 2. The German state of North Rhine-Westphalia is marking its 80th anniversary. The state was established 80 years ago on August 23, 1946, by the British military government under the codename ‘Operation Marriage’, which dissolved the provinces of the former state of Prussia. To commemorate the milestone, a large-scale celebration titled ‘NRW-Tag’ is scheduled to take place in Münster from August 28 to August 30. Themed ‘Democracy lives. Diversity connects’, the event will feature a variety of programs, including concerts at the Dom and Schlossplatz, and a city festival titled ‘Münster mittendrin’. Exhibitions and presentations will cover sectors such as science, tourism, sports, and emergency services. Official ceremonies will be led by Deputy Minister-President Mona Neubaur, State Parliament President André Kuper, and Mayor Tilman Fuchs. Many festivities are free to the public, and free transportation will be provided within Münster city limits during the event weekend. Separately, emergency services have extinguished the largest forest fire in the history of North Rhine-Westphalia in the Hürtgenwald. While Mayor Stephan Cranen confirmed that all hotspots have been put out and no injuries or property damage were reported, the forest remains closed to the public due to unstable trees. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-23: North Rhine-Westphalia celebrates 80 years since founding North Rhine-Westphalia celebrates its 80th anniversary with a large festival in Münster, marking the state's founding by the British military government in 1946. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/north-rhine-westphalia-celebrates-80th-anniversary-1 ### 2026-08-20: Nordrhein-Westfalen marks 80th anniversary and concludes major forest fire Nordrhein-Westfalen prepares for its 80th anniversary with a major celebration in Münster, while authorities confirm the containment of the state's largest-ever forest fire in the Hürtgenwald. 15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/north-rhine-westphalia-celebrates-80th-anniversary --- Cite as: North Rhine-Westphalia 80th anniversary celebrations. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/north-rhine-westphalia-80th-anniversary-celebrations