On November 9, 1989, the East German Government announced that its citizens could freely visit West Germany and West Berlin. It came after several weeks of protests by East German citizens who yearned for the kind of freedom that the west enjoyed. It also marked the end of a 28 year old blockade that was the result of some 3 and a half million people fleeing communism to the west.
After its erection, numbers vary, but it is estimated that 5000 people attempted to cross the wall resulting in between 100 and 200 people being killed according to published reports.
I have included three videos here. All very short. The first is from a new CBC documentary on the wall, and the web page is really very good. Go and watch. It’s also interactive. I have not been through it all.
Then there is this from ABC … thrilling. I get chills. God bless freedom!
The second of course needs no introduction. June 12, 1987:
I miss Ronald Reagan. Those who remember what times were like then understand the significance of today’s anniversary. It is equally hard to understand why the current President will not be in Germany for the anniversary.
But the president does not plan to travel to Germany to attend the 20th anniversary celebration Monday of the fall of the Berlin Wall, drawing heated criticism from those who say he’s ignoring a shining triumph of American-inspired democracy.
“A tragedy,” is how former House Speaker Newt Gingrich described Obama’s absence.
Some question whether the decision not to go was a nod to Russia, with which the Obama administration is trying to mend relations, or just another attempt to play down the perception of the United States as an exceptional superpower.
For its part, the administration is citing a scheduling conflict. The White House says the president simply does not have the time to go, with the trip to Asia starting Wednesday.
Gotta get a new scheduler.
About Jim Vicevich
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Let me start with this:
Thank you John Paul II, thank you Lech Walesa, and finally, thank you Mr. President Regan.
Our, you know us Poles, road to the fall of Iron Curtin and the Berlin Wall started in 1980 during Moscow Olympic Games when we saw the results of our sacrifice (whiespered contribution to those games). We finally said, ENOUGH, and then the massive strikes started all over the country. By the end of August, and Olympics long forgotten, we knew we won. Talk about trill going up your legs. 1980 was the greatest year in my life. I will never forget it. All this hope for better future. We didn’t know it will take another 9 years. But believe me surviving those years full of street fights, murders in the middle of the night, beatings of my friends, it was all worth it.
If it wasn’t John Paul II and his message: “Do not be affraid,” it would have never happened. Or at least not so soon.
So again.
Thank you John Paul II for your message of hope. Thank you Lech for your leadership. Thank you Mr. President Regan for watching our back.