10316 days there was a Berlin wall that divided one city, one nation. It was built in 1961 to stop the massive flee of the Germans from the eastern, Russian, part of the city to the West. Until then, a half-million Germans have been driven to the western part of Berlin. What constituted an economic impairment and could have led to the collapse of the state.
The construction began in strict confidentiality, and the date of installation was the night from 12th to 13th August, when all connections to the West were interrupted, and the border crossings were occupied by Soviet troops, who were constantly in combat readiness. Overcoming obstacles over the years replaced the wall with barbed wire, ditches, observation towers and a permanent military presence. The wall broke the family ties, and the Germans on the Soviet side of the city took the opportunity to live better. It became a symbol of the Cold War.
A Lot Of Escapes - By Train, Tank, Balloon And By Water For A Better Life
But people did not stop. Neither command soldiers on the border should prevent any attempt to escape, including shooting. Over 28 years, more than 5,000 people have fled, and at least 171 paid with their lives. However, the great solidarity and ingenuity of the Germans from both sides was shown. Under the wall, about 75 underground trenches are to be excavated, most of them have fled to freedom.
There Were Many Unusual And Successful Escapes To The Western Part Of The City
A railway designer from the eastern part of the city, several months after the wall was installed, noticed that there was no obstacle on the part of the railway line. He gathered his family and friends and drove past the surprised guards to the western part of Berlin with "the last train to freedom".
Two years later, the East German soldier came up with an even better way. He stole the tank and ran into the wall. His escape was not the most thoughtful since he did not break the obstacles. So he climbed out of the tank, hoping to climb the wall, but jammed on the barbed wire. The soldiers were firing at him, but in the end, they were safely pulled by the people of West Berlin.
Among the more famous escapes was the flight of aviation mechanic, his friend and their families. After watching the air balloon broadcast, the men made the engine, and the women sewed the canvas for the balloon and thus escaped. Their first attempt failed, and in the other they landed on the blackberry in western Berlin.
Fall Of The Wall
The Wall fell on November 9, 1989, when East German politician Günter Schabowski told a press conference (too soon) that the border was open and people could cross it right away. A crowd gathered around the wall. After hours of tension, the soldiers only opened the crossings, and there was a great joy. Westerners were welcomed by the Easterners. Most pubs in the vicinity shared a free beer and a crowd of troubled vehicles gathered on the streets.
The fall of the Berlin Wall has become a visible and important event in world history. After the opening of the borders, people were euphoric, and the wall quickly disappeared as if Berliners wanted to erase them from their memory. Already a year after the opening of the border, most of the Berlin Wall has disappeared. Concrete was crushed and used in the construction of new roads connecting the eastern and western parts of the country. Today only a little has left him. The most famous remains are in the outdoor gallery at the East Side Gallery in Friedrichshain, a state monument.
Bernauer Street Is Best Known Today For The Division Of Berlin Into The Eastern And Western Parts
