It has been 25 years since the Berlin Wall, that iconic symbol of the 20th century, came down on November 9, 1989. On Sunday, the world, and particularly Germany, will remember the momentous event in history.
A physical division between East Berlin and West Germany, the wall served as a symbolic barrier between capitalism and communism during the Cold War. Erected overnight between August 12 and 13, 1961, it stunned all Berliners. The wall stayed for 28 years.
Standing at 11 to 13 feet, it stretched for 158 km, keeping East Germans from fleeing to the West. The West Germans were left holding posters and singing slogans. The western side of the wall was covered in graffiti while the east was barren.There were a number of checkpoints along the wall, most famous being Checkpoint Charlie, which permitted passage. Between 5,000 and 10,000 of them succeeded. Several hundred died trying.
The Berlin Wall fell on November 9, 1989. Germany officially reunited on October 3, 1990, about a year later.
Here are some reminders of that era.
A physical division between East Berlin and West Germany, the wall served as a symbolic barrier between capitalism and communism during the Cold War. Erected overnight between August 12 and 13, 1961, it stunned all Berliners. The wall stayed for 28 years.
Standing at 11 to 13 feet, it stretched for 158 km, keeping East Germans from fleeing to the West. The West Germans were left holding posters and singing slogans. The western side of the wall was covered in graffiti while the east was barren.There were a number of checkpoints along the wall, most famous being Checkpoint Charlie, which permitted passage. Between 5,000 and 10,000 of them succeeded. Several hundred died trying.
The Berlin Wall fell on November 9, 1989. Germany officially reunited on October 3, 1990, about a year later.
Here are some reminders of that era.
Photo credit: Reddit user ImportantPotato
Photo credit: Reddit user UncleChase
Photo credit: Reddit user kirbyfood
Photo credit: Gavin Stewart via Flickr
Photo credit: davis506 via Flickr
Photo credit: Joel Robine via AFP
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
Photo credit: Reddit
Photo credit: surrenderdorothy via Reddit
Photo credit: trollerbear via Reddit
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