Germany marks the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall – TheLiberal.ie – Our News, Your Views

Germany marks the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall




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Today, Germany, and Europe at large, celebrate the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Wall.

The physical barrier that divided Berlin, and symbolically separated the West from the Eastern bloc, stood from 1969 to 1981. Guarded by over 300 watchtowers, anti-vehicle trenches, and other defence systems, the Wall became a shameful wound in Cold War Europe.

After massive popular protest, the Wall finally ‘fell’ at 10:45pm, November 09, 1989, when an East German commander disobeyed orders and opened a checkpoint, allowing people to flood through.

To mark such momentous historical event, a light installation of 8,000 illuminated balloons tracing the path of the wall has been constructed.

Celebrations will commence with a sounding of trumpets, symbolizing the biblical trumpets that brought down the Wall of Jericho.

Angela Merkel, who grew up in East Germany, will later deliver a speech and also lay a rose at one of the few remaining sections of the Wall, to remember those who lost their lives attempting to cross the border between East and West.

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