People line up in front of the application office for passports.

More than two years after the Berlin Wall was constructed by East Germany to prevent its citizens from fleeing its communist regime,
nearly 4,000 West Berliners were allowed to cross into East Berlin
to visit relatives. Under an agreement reached between East and
West Berlin, over 170,000 passes were eventually issued to West
Berlin citizens, each pass allowing a one-day visit to communist
East Berlin.

Citizens of West Berlin lining up for Christmas passes into
East Berlin.

President John Kennedy on an observation platform (left)
as he looks into East Berlin across the Communist Berlin
Wall that divided the German city. (AP Photo)