Berlin Wall

The Berlin Wall (German: Die Berliner Mauer) was a long barrier separating West Berlin from East Berlin and the surrounding territory of East Germany. The East German authorities called it the ?antifaschistischer Schutzwall? (Anti-Fascist Protection Wall). Its purpose was to restrict access between West Berlin and East Germany. It was built in 1961 and fortified over the years, but was opened to unrestricted transit on November 9, 1989 and subsequently almost entirely demolished.

Celebrations

On Christmas Day, December 25, 1989 Leonard Bernstein gave a concert in Berlin celebrating the end of the Wall, including Beethoven's 9th symphony (Ode to Joy) with the chorus' word "Joy" (Freude) changed to "Freedom" (Freiheit). Roger Waters performed the Pink Floyd concert The Wall in Potsdamer Platz on 21 July 1990, with guests including The Scorpions, Bryan Adams, and Van Morrison. Also, David Hasselhoff performed his song Looking for freedom, which was very popular in Germany at that time, stand on the Berlin wall. David Hasselhof has later (perhaps jokingly) told reporters that he "helped unite Germany" by performing at this event.

Related Topics:
December 25 - 1989 - Leonard Bernstein - Beethoven - 9th symphony - Roger Waters - Pink Floyd - The Wall - Potsdamer Platz - 21 July - 1990 - The Scorpions - Bryan Adams - Van Morrison - David Hasselhoff

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The fall of the wall was the first step to the reunification of Germany, which was formally concluded on October 3, 1990.

Related Topics:
Reunification - Germany - October 3 - 1990

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Some believe November 9, which marks the emotional apogee of East Germany's peaceful revolution, would have made a good German National Holiday. This is reinforced by the fact that November 9 was also the date of the declaration of the first German republic, the Weimar Republic, in 1918. However, because November 9 is also the anniversary of the infamous Kristallnacht pogroms of 1938, the October 3 date was chosen instead. (Another reason given for the October 3 date of reunification is that the West German government wanted to conclude reunification before East Germany could celebrate a 41st "birthday," on October 7 1990.)

Related Topics:
November 9 - Weimar Republic - 1918 - Kristallnacht - 1938 - October 3 - October 7 - 1990

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