[Video transcript]
Never again.
Dictatorship and war — that was never to happen again in Germany. Following the Nazi barbarism and the end of the Second World War, Germany was to become a democratic country. The Western occupying powers, the USA, France and Great Britain, gave German politicians the task of drawing up a democratic constitution for West Germany.
The content of what was to become the so-called Basic Law was debated for a long time.
Nina Haase, Chief Political Correspondent: "The first page begins with the words: 'Human dignity is inviolable.'"
In 1949, the Parliamentary Council adopted the Basic Law. Fundamental rights were now guaranteed and took precedence over all laws. That had never happened before.
That was the lesson learnt from the Third Reich and National Socialism, an era in which the human dignity of millions of people was trampled on.
Nina Haase, Chief Political Correspondent: "And other rights are also enshrined in the Basic Law: the right to life and liberty of the individual."
A modern law in which all citizens are equal — regardless of their race, origin, language or religion.
At the time the Basic Law framework was being drafted, the population paid little attention. Reconstruction was more important. And: the Basic Law was intended to be a provisional arrangement which only applied to West Germany. That has changed over the decades.
It has developed into an important and identity-forming document, also within the population.
Man: "I think very highly of the Basic Law. Those are our basic values — in addition to religion, the Ten Commandments, these are the guiding values."
Woman: "We just talked about it with the kids. We said that the Basic Law is important and it's the basis for all people being treated equally."
Woman: "I'm convinced the Basic Law will continue to guide us well through these times that are sometimes stormy."
On October 3, 1990, Germany was reunified. The provisional Basic Law was then adopted as the constitution for the Federal Republic of Germany. Democracy has proven to be resilient — thanks to the Basic Law.
Nina Haase, Chief Political Correspondent: "It has stood the test of time for 75 years. And: it is an export hit. It has become a role model in shaping countries that also came out of dictatorships."
For example, in former socialist states in Europe. But also, in South America and Asia.