"My family was stationed over in Germany for the second time in the mid to late 60's. During that time I was fortunate to have two trips to Berlin. We all remember the duty trains, and our overnight trips.
My feelings both times seeing the "Wall" were ones of great sadness, outrage, and yes, I was counting my blessings that I was an American where Freedom rang.
I can see in my mind's eyes even today the barbwire fencing, the area for landmines, other sections where dogs patrolled, in some places the river as a barrier between the wall and freedom, the guards with rifles slung over their shoulders on roof tops and their observation towers, being told that only old people lived closest to the wall because they were too frail to make any attempts to escape. The tears always came when you noticed the top of the wall with the broken glass cemented in place as you visualized a brave soul making it through all the treacherous obstacles only to have their hands shred to pieces trying to climb over this horrible structure. If that vision wasn't horrific enough, the crosses on the western side showing how far someone had made it before being shot down by the eastern guards. Why was all this necessary to keep people in and others out if communism was so wonderful?
I can't begin to describe my elation when the "Wall" came down, and my prayers that some parts of it would remain standing so that no one would forget all that the "Wall" represented and those who died trying to escape it. I prayed that history, this time, would never be repeated itself!" -Cindy Walsh Titus - Overseas student
Significance of the Berlin Wall:
The Berlin Wall was the physical division of West Berlin and East Germany, although there was a symbolic attachment; the Berlin Wall symbolized the boundary between democracy and communism in the Cold War.
The Beginning of the Division:
August 12-13 in 1961, soldiers and construction workers came in. They started by tearing the streets up in West Berlin, digging holes to put the concrete posts in and put up barbed wire across the border, divided West Berlin from East Berlin. People were not allowed to cross the border anymore. Phone lines were cut and they were no longer allowed to contact their families, friends or any other loved ones.
Construction of the Berlin Wall:
The wall was first made of barbed wire and cinder blocks but was then replaced by concrete walls that stood up to 15 feet high with the barbed wire on the top, along with things like: watchtowers, gun platforms and mines. The Berlin Wall was a 103-mile (166-kilometer) wall made of concrete.And was was painted white in order to see anyone who tried to escape.
Fall of the Wall:
November 9, 1989, the Berlin Wall “fell”. East Germany allowed citizens to travel and immigrate West.
Works Cited:
"Berlin." Britannica Student Library. Encyclopaedia Britannica Ultimate Reference Suite.Chicago:
Encyclopædia Britannica, 2010.
"Berlin Wall." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online.
Encyclopædia Britannica, 2011. Web. 04 Apr. 2011. <http:/
www.britannica.com.prxy2.ursus.maine.edu/EBchecked/topic/62202/
Berlin-Wall>.
Rosenberg, Jennifer. "Berlin Wall - The Rise and Fall of the Berlin Wall." 20th Century History. Web. 08 Apr.
2011. <http://history1900s.about.com/od/coldwa1/a/berlinwall.htm>.
"Stories of the Fall of the Berlin Wall." American Overseas Schools Historical Society. Web. 08 Apr. 2011.
<http://www.aoshs.org/WallStories.htm>.
1989- Berlin Wall Falls
"My family was stationed over in Germany for the second time in the mid to late 60's. During that time I was fortunate to have two trips to Berlin. We all remember the duty trains, and our overnight trips.My feelings both times seeing the "Wall" were ones of great sadness, outrage, and yes, I was counting my blessings that I was an American where Freedom rang.
I can see in my mind's eyes even today the barbwire fencing, the area for landmines, other sections where dogs patrolled, in some places the river as a barrier between the wall and freedom, the guards with rifles slung over their shoulders on roof tops and their observation towers, being told that only old people lived closest to the wall because they were too frail to make any attempts to escape. The tears always came when you noticed the top of the wall with the broken glass cemented in place as you visualized a brave soul making it through all the treacherous obstacles only to have their hands shred to pieces trying to climb over this horrible structure. If that vision wasn't horrific enough, the crosses on the western side showing how far someone had made it before being shot down by the eastern guards. Why was all this necessary to keep people in and others out if communism was so wonderful?
I can't begin to describe my elation when the "Wall" came down, and my prayers that some parts of it would remain standing so that no one would forget all that the "Wall" represented and those who died trying to escape it. I prayed that history, this time, would never be repeated itself!"
-Cindy Walsh Titus - Overseas student
Significance of the Berlin Wall:
The Berlin Wall was the physical division of West Berlin and East Germany, although there was a symbolic attachment; the Berlin Wall symbolized the boundary between democracy and communism in the Cold War.The Beginning of the Division:
August 12-13 in 1961, soldiers and construction workers came in. They started by tearing the streets up in West Berlin, digging holes to put the concrete posts in and put up barbed wire across the border, divided West Berlin from East Berlin. People were not allowed to cross the border anymore. Phone lines were cut and they were no longer allowed to contact their families, friends or any other loved ones.Construction of the Berlin Wall:
The wall was first made of barbed wire and cinder blocks but was then replaced by concrete walls that stood up to 15 feet high with the barbed wire on the top, along with things like: watchtowers, gun platforms and mines. The Berlin Wall was a 103-mile (166-kilometer) wall made of concrete.And was was painted white in order to see anyone who tried to escape.Fall of the Wall:
November 9, 1989, the Berlin Wall “fell”. East Germany allowed citizens to travel and immigrate West.Watch these videos!
Fall of Berlin Wall videoNews Report On the Fall
Works Cited:
"Berlin." Britannica Student Library. Encyclopaedia Britannica Ultimate Reference Suite.Chicago:
Encyclopædia Britannica, 2010.
"Berlin Wall." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online.
Encyclopædia Britannica, 2011. Web. 04 Apr. 2011. <http:/
www.britannica.com.prxy2.ursus.maine.edu/EBchecked/topic/62202/
Berlin-Wall>.
Rosenberg, Jennifer. "Berlin Wall - The Rise and Fall of the Berlin Wall." 20th Century History. Web. 08 Apr.
2011. <http://history1900s.about.com/od/coldwa1/a/berlinwall.htm>.
"Stories of the Fall of the Berlin Wall." American Overseas Schools Historical Society. Web. 08 Apr. 2011.
<http://www.aoshs.org/WallStories.htm>.