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The fall of the Berlin Wall, 9 November 1989

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Elizabethofseasons

Elizabethofseasons Report 9 Nov 2010 00:06

Dear All

Hello

Hope you are okay.

On this day 21 years ago, the people of Berlin celebrated the fall of the Wall after nearly three decades keeping East and West Berliners apart.

At midnight East Germany's Communist rulers gave permission for gates along the Wall to be opened after hundreds of people converged on crossing points.

They surged through cheering and shouting and were be met by jubilant West Berliners on the other side.

Ecstatic crowds immediately began to clamber on top of the Wall and hack large chunks out of the 28-mile (45-kilometre) barrier.

It had been erected in 1961 on the orders of East Germany's former leader Walter Ulbricht stop people leaving for West Germany.

After 1961, the Wall and other fortifications along the 860-mile (1,380-kilometre) border shared by East and West Germany have kept most East Germans in.

Take gentle care
Very best wishes
xx

doddsy1

doddsy1 Report 9 Nov 2010 00:44

I can remember watching on telly that wall coming down and truely believe I was witnessing "history in the making"
I really do appreciate being reminded of it's date and importance

Ron2

Ron2 Report 9 Nov 2010 22:35

I was based in Norther (West) Germany when the wall went up. We were at a very high level of alert

Researching:
Stuarts - Birmingham, Staffordshire. Beats Notts and Lincs

Elizabethofseasons

Elizabethofseasons Report 9 Nov 2010 22:43

Dear All

Hello

Hope you are okay.

Thanks for the replies.

Ronald, another reason to remember how many people died trying to get over the wall.

Tragic loss of life.

Take gentle care
Very best wishes
xx