Today marks the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. It was yet another milestone in the breakdown of the Soviet Bloc in the years 1989-1991, but one of the most dramatic. The destruction of this wall symbolised what would soon become the latest incarnation of Germany--a single democratic nation instead of a European version of the Korean peninsula.
In 1987, President Ronald Reagan admonished Soviet Premier Mikail Gorbachev to 'Tear down this wall'. And on 9th November 1989, the German people tore it down. I remember watching this event on the evening news while playing with my Ninja Turtles toys. (I was 7 then, so it was okay.) Within a year, Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) and German Demokratic Republic (East Germany) united, ending 45 years of separation between two disparate economic regimes. So Germany left the 20th century the way it had entered--as one nation.
Yes, German Heritage Month has been over for nine days now, but this blog's author is compelled to applaud the Fatherland one last time as this decade limps to a close.
Einigheit und Recht und Freiheit (Unity and Justice and Freedom)
14 years ago
Very interesting indeed!
ReplyDeleteJust to complete Your report, I invite You to see my blog with borders, in which there is also a rich collection of "pre-wall" Berlins (1950-1961).
Best wishes from an Estonian living in Italy!
Ah, buonjorno!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words, Pilland. I enjoyed viewing your site; thanks for directing me to it!