It was 20 years ago today - The Berlin Wall came down

There aren’t really two sides here, so this topic is not intended to be in any sense controversial, political, or to arouse passions. I just wanted to briefly reminisce about a day that was intensely special and moving for me, both from a personal and an historic perspective. (I studied history.)

I first traveled to West Berlin through East Germany in the late 60’s, at the height of Cold War gloom and tension. I saw watch towers, barbed wire, concrete barriers and unfriendly armed men up close for the first time in my life – a thoroughly depressing experience.

After a number of subsequent visits I wound up living in West Berlin from November, 1988 till February, 1989, which was long enough to experience some of the feelings and frustrations faced by local people after the Wall was built. So, it was with particular interest that I followed the developments in East Germany during October, 1989, that came to a head on November 9.

I shall never forget the day (I still have the videos I recorded) when it actually, truly happened – something no one could have ever imagined happening just a short time before – the barriers opened, gates were raised, people climbed up onto the Wall and were not shot, people attacking that damned Wall with hammers and chisels, mass laughter, mass tears, mass disbelief. I sat on the floor in front of my tv in Amsterdam and cried like a little kid, tears of utter joy and astonishment.

So today’s celebrations (just go the BBC or CNN for lots of video clips from the day) probably mean more to me personally than to most here, with the probable exception of Günter. I voice no opinion about all the subsequent issues raised, I’m simply re-celebrating the collapse and destruction of the most tangible, evil symbol of an immoral regime, a symbol hated by everyone except a few gray men in East Berlin. The Berlin Wall was an abomination on the face of Europe, it’s fall was an event of major historical significance (and one of the biggest street parties of all time!).

Those of you who are old enough to remember the day and how you felt, think back............and smile!