I’m not sure if you already know Guenter Schabowski. He was the East German Minister of Propaganda and storied after a misunderstanding. In a live broadcast international press conference he announced that effectively all rules for traveling abroad were lifted, in effect immediately. It was November 9, 1989 and in that night, thousands of East Berliners gathered at the wall, celebrated the lift of the Berlin blockade and citizens begun tearing down the wall. At this time I was ten years old and had no idea what was going on, but I realized that it was the start of something big!This posting is about:
- a Border between East and West Berlin which was 27 miles long.
- a Border between West Berlin and East Germany which was 69 miles long.
- 66 miles of 3.6 meter high concrete wall.
- 41 miles of wire mesh fencing.
- 302 watch towers.
- 192 persons who were killed on the Berlin Wall.
But before I show you a video who describes this unique moment in history, allow me to recap the most important dates of the Berlin Wall.
May 8th 1945
World War II is over and Germany was divided into four sections.June 30th 1946
The Soviets safeguard the demarcation line between East and West Germany.May 26th 1952
Border between East and West Germany and between East Germany and West Berlin is closed. Only the border between East and West Berlin is still opened.December 11, 1957
Leaving East Germany without permission is forbidden and violations are prosecuted with prison up to three years.August 13, 1961
The Berlin sectorial border between East and West Berlin is closed, barriers are built.June 12, 1987
President Ronald Reagan visits Berlin and urges Soviet Leader Mikhail Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin Wall.September 10, 1989
Hungarian government opens border for East German refugees.November 9, 1989
A press conference is held announcing the lift of the blockade.October 3, 1990
Germany is reunited!
I did this posting, because in two days, Germany can celebrate the eighteens anniversary of a free, opened and reunited country.
For all of you who don’t understand the German song in the video, following the translation of it. The song was written by Marius Mueller-Westernhagen and is called Freiheit (Freedom).
The contracts were made
And there was a lot of laughter
And something sweet for dessertFreedom, freedom
The band ‘rumtata
‘The pope has been there, too
And my neighbourt in the front
Freedom, freedom
Is the only thing, that’s missing
Freedom, freedom
Is the only thing, that’s missingUnfortunately the human isn’t naive
Regrettably the human is primitive
Freedom, freedom
Has been canceled againAll those, who dream of freedom,
Shouldn’t miss to celebrate
Should also dance on graves
Freedom, freedom
It’s the only thing what counts
Freedom, freedom
It’s the only thing what counts
