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,
more than 170,000 passes were eventually issued to West
Berlin citizens, each pass allowing a one-day visit to
communist East Berlin.
East German officials opened the Berlin Wall on November 9,
1989, allowing travel from East to West Berlin. The following
day, celebrating Germans began to tear the wall down.
One of the ugliest and most infamous symbols of the Cold War
was soon reduced to rubble that was quickly snatched up by
souvenir hunters.
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Shortly after midnight on August 13, 1961, East German soldiers
began laying down barbed wire and bricks as a barrier between
Soviet-controlled East Berlin and the democratic western section
of the city.
After World War II, defeated Germany was divided into Soviet,
American, British and French zones of occupation. The city of
Berlin, though technically part of the Soviet zone, was also split,
with the Soviets taking the eastern part of the city. After a massive
Allied airlift in June 1948 foiled a Soviet attempt to blockade West
Berlin, the eastern section was drawn even more tightly into the
Soviet fold.
Over the next 12 years, cut off from its western counterpart and
basically reduced to a Soviet satellite, East Germany saw between
2.5 million and 3 million of its citizens head to West Germany in
search of better opportunities. By 1961, some 1,000 East Germans,
including many skilled laborers, professionals and intellectuals,
were leaving every day.
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)
Shortly after midnight on this day in 1961, East German soldiers begin laying
down barbed wire and bricks as a barrier between Soviet-controlled East
Berlin and the democratic western section of the city.
After World War II, defeated Germany was divided into Soviet, American,
British and French zones of occupation. The city of Berlin, though technically
part of the Soviet zone, was also split, with the Soviets taking the eastern part
of the city. After a massive Allied airlift in June 1948 foiled a Soviet attempt to blockade West Berlin, the eastern section was drawn even more tightly into
the Soviet fold. Over the next 12 years, cut off from its western counterpart
and basically reduced to a Soviet satellite, East Germany saw between 2.5
million and 3 million of its citizens head to West Germany in search of better opportunities. By 1961, some 1,000 East Germans—including many skilled
laborers, professionals and intellectuals—were leaving every day.
