Additional Coverage:
- The Berlin Wall came down 35 years ago today (newsbreak.com)
The Berlin Wall
In 1961, East Germany closed its border with West Berlin, erecting a wall that became a symbol of the Cold War. The heavily fortified wall separated the two cities and symbolized the divide between the communist East and the democratic West.
The Fall of the Wall
On November 9, 1989, the wall suddenly came down. A new travel law mistakenly announced that day led to a mass rush of people at the border, overwhelming the guards. The wall was opened, and East and West Berliners celebrated together.
Significance
The fall of the Berlin Wall marked the beginning of the end of the Cold War. It also paved the way for German reunification in 1990 and the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
The Wall Today
While most of the wall has been torn down, some sections remain as historical monuments. The longest remaining section is the East Side Gallery, where artists have painted murals on the concrete slabs. The former border crossing at Checkpoint Charlie is also a popular tourist destination.
Other Remains
In addition to the visible sections of the wall, there are also remnants of the “death strip” that separated East and West Berlin. This area has been largely built over, but a section at the Bernauer Strasse memorial site remains.
Moedlareuth
One of the few exceptions to the fortified fences that formed the main East-West German border is the village of Moedlareuth. Divided between Bavaria and Thuringia, the village earned the nickname “Little Berlin” due to its wall and border crossing. Part of this border can still be seen today.
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- The Berlin Wall came down 35 years ago today (newsbreak.com)