World Leaders Line Up To Mark Fall Of Berlin Wall

World Leaders Line Up To Mark Fall Of Berlin Wall

Last updated (GMT/UTC): 09.11.2009 14:47
(RFE/RL) -- World leaders past and present have joined thousands of Germans in Berlin today to celebrate one of the watershed events in the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe 20 years ago -- the fall of the Berlin Wall.

On November 9, 1989, crowds of jubilant East Germans took advantage of an easing of travel restrictions and surged into West Berlin. The event hastened the collapse of the Iron Curtain and, within a year, led to the reunification of Germany.

Chancellor Angela Merkel began the day at a remembrance service at Gethsemane Church, which had been a rallying point for opposition activists in the former East Berlin.

Merkel, who grew up in East Germany, was among the crowds who crossed to West Berlin on November 9, 1989.

And today -- this time accompanied by former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and Poland's former opposition leader, Lech Walesa -- she retraced her steps, crossing Berlin's Bornholmer Bridge, the first checkpoint to open.

Later today, the celebrations move to the Brandenburg Gate, which for 28 years had been trapped in no-man's land behind the wall.

The leaders of France, Britain, and Russia will join Merkel and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for a ceremonial walk through the gate.

RFE/RL's Komila Nabiyeva, speaking from nearby the iconic gate, says the celebrations have attracted visitors from all over the world.

"People came especially for this event, and they're really happy to be here, showing their emotions," Nabiyeva says. "Despite the weather, even though it started raining several minutes ago, you can feel the air of anticipation and excitement."

Rush To The Border

The Berlin Wall stood for 28 years as perhaps the most potent symbol of the Cold War.

During 1989, pressure had been building on the East German government, with large street demonstrations showing growing discontent.

And then on November 9 of that year, a government spokesman announced that East Germans would be free to travel to the West.

The announcement -- which, as it turned out, was made earlier than planned -- sparked a rush to the border checkpoints.

With the crowds swelling, border officials finally threw open the barriers and people began to stream through to West Berlin.

West Berliners welcomed them with sweets and drinks, and parts of the city became one big street party.

Today's celebrations will culminate in a symbolic re-enactment of the wall's collapse.

One thousand giant dominos have been set up along a stretch of the wall's original path.

Once pushed, they will begin to topple.

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/World_Leaders_Line_Up_To_Mark_Fall_Of_Berlin_Wall/1872793.html

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World Leaders Line Up To Mark Fall Of Berlin Wall