Dozens died as Soviet tanks rolled in

The event was one of the first mass protests in Communist Eastern Europe after World War II - and proved a model for ones that followed in Hungary and Czechoslovakia.

Emboldened by the death of Stalin, thousands of East German workers marched in Berlin before being suppressed by Soviet and East German forces.

A new book being published to mark the anniversary says the West - and Winston Churchill in particular - stood back and did nothing for fear of encouraging German unification.

There are so many days in our history associated with defeats or mistakes. June 17 is one of the proud days in German history Johannes Rau German President

German historian Hubertus Knabe advances the claim in his book 17 June 1953 - A German Uprising.

He says Churchill intervened personally to keep the UK from offering support to the protesting East Germans.

Churchill feared that East and West Germany might re-unite and pose a new threat only eight years after the end of the Second World War.

He also worried - Mr Knabe says - about the stability of the Soviet Union, which was in turmoil following the death of Stalin, who had led the country for 30 years.

Forgotten history

For many years, the 1953 uprising was ignored by East Germany, while in the West it was a public holiday but was largely forgotten by ordinary people.

This year, however, there has been a resurgence of interest, the BBC's Ray Furlong in Berlin says.

Germans are rediscovering a chapter of their history.

A new book faults Churchill

Some towns have renamed streets after people involved in the uprising, and museums opened special exhibitions.

Hundreds of events were taking place all over the former East, while a series of radio and TV programmes have marked the events for the rest of the country.

"There are so many days in our history associated with defeats or mistakes," German President Johannes Rau told a special session of parliament in Berlin.

"June 17 was externally a defeat but it was not a mistake and that's why we can say today: June 17 is one of the proud days in German history.

"A revolt that was courageous, spontaneous and supported by all classes of people is one of the major landmarks of the history of German and European freedom."

Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder laid a wreath at a cemetery in Berlin where 11 victims are buried.

Town halls stormed

Around a dozen new books have been published in addition to Mr Knabe's discussions. Lectures and readings have also held.

The East German uprising began as a series of strikes and protests at living standards; it soon turned political, with town halls being stormed and demands for German reunification.

Order was restored by Soviet tanks; dozens died.

West Germany paid lip service to the anniversary, holding a national holiday every year, but for most people it was devoid of political meaning.