On November 9, 1989, the world watched as the Berlin Wall fell. Swipe to know the story of the wall and how its fall marked a monumental shift in history.
After WWII, Germany was divided into East and West. The Berlin Wall, built in 1961, physically and ideologically separated East Berlin (communist) and West Berlin (democratic).
The Berlin Wall started as a barrier of barbed wire and cinder blocks, but was later fortified into a series of concrete walls topped with barbed wire and guarded by watchtowers, gun placements, and mines. It quickly became a powerful symbol of the Cold War, representing the separation of the divide between eastern and western Europe.
East Berliners faced restrictions on travel, controlled media, and constant surveillance. Families and friends were separated, and escape attempts were often fatal.
By the late 1980s, East Germans demanded freedom. Protests and movements like the Peaceful Revolution grew in momentum, calling for change.
On November 9, 1989, East German officials announced that border restrictions would ease, inadvertently causing thousands to rush to the Wall. Crowds gathered, and under pressure, guards opened the gates.
Berliners from both sides celebrated as the Wall was torn down, piece by piece. It became a symbol of hope and unity, ending nearly three decades of division.
In October 1990, East and West Germany officially reunited, ending the post-war division. It marked a new era for Germany and Europe.
Thirty-five years later, Germany continues to celebrate the resilience and unity of its people, and honour the courage of those who fought for freedom, remembering that walls — both literal and metaphorical — can come down.