21 retro shots of the legendary fall of the Berlin Wall

On August 13, 1961, the construction of a wall began on the territory of East Germany, which was supposed to stop the mass exodus of citizens into a more prosperous West Germany. The length of the concrete structure was 155 kilometers, and its height was 3.6 meters. During the existence of the Berlin Wall, many attempts to escape were recorded. Approximately 5,000 people managed to safely cross the obstacle, but they were not so successful either: more than 125 people died under shelling by border guards, however, the exact number of victims remains unknown.

The wall lasted for more than 20 years, and only in November 1989 did it fall. This long-awaited event marked the beginning of the reunification of West and East Germany. Let's look at the unique pictures of the erection of a terrible structure and the shots taken during its fall.

August 13, 1961. Soldiers enclose the territory of the future Berlin Wall with barbed wire. The incomprehensible people follow what is happening with curiosity.

On August 15, the entire eastern zone of Germany was completely surrounded by barbed wire, which means that it was possible to begin construction of the wall.

Dismantling rails on the route of trains that went from east to west.

The border guard monitors the situation with binoculars, 1961.

Single houses on the path of the future concrete border had to be demolished in October 1961.

A little girl from East Germany peeks out from behind barbed wire, October 1961.

Berlin Wall in color, 1968.

A man was wounded from a machine gun while trying to escape, 1971.

Another defector. He was shot dead by border guards from the tower, August 17, 1962.

Brandenburg Gate outside the Berlin Wall, November 19, 1961.

A famous photograph of a 19-year-old GDR soldier trying to escape to his family in the western sector. This photo, taken by Peter Leibing on August 15, 1961, became one of the symbols of the Cold War of the time.

Mother and child walk along the Berlin Wall; date of image is unknown.

One of the most massive shoots. Then, through the tunnel leading from East Berlin to West, 57 people escaped. October 1964

The Berlin Wall was painted with such graffiti on the side of West Berlin in 1988.

A series of 3 shots. A pair of men suddenly decide to jump over the border barrier in the hope of catching a run to West Berlin, April 1989.

Despite the fact that they managed to catch the border guards by surprise, the attempt still failed.

A border guard who was ready to open fire at any time.

On November 9, 1989, the GDR government agreed to remove the restrictions on communications with West Berlin from residents, and border control was completely abolished on July 1, 1990. From January to November 1990, demolition of the concrete structure was carried out.

Joyful meeting of residents of West and East Berlin, November 10, 1989.

West Berliners help people on the other side climb over the wall, November 10, 1989.

Demolition of a section of the Berlin Wall, November 11, 1989.

Thousands of West Berliners came to meet the citizens of the GDR who came out from behind the wall. The feeling of universal happiness and fraternity washed away all the state barriers and barriers of the Cold War in an instant.

Watch the video: The East German DJ Paul van Dyk. Video of the day (May 2024).