Carol DM
Watching the leaves fall from the trees and the wind blowing across the yard today. Made me start thinking of how there are many winds of change. Past and present history.
Also found this YouTube video that shows historical scenes of that day… Winds of Change Video
The photo shows Harald Jäger on the Bornholm Bridge, 2014. On November 9, 1989, in defiance of his Communist bosses, he opened the largest checkpoint of the Berlin Wall to let East Germans pass freely to the West.
Sharing a little history with some of you about the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Thousands of celebrants climb atop the Berlin Wall in front of Brandenburg Gate on the night of November 9th, 1989. (Photo below)
Crowds had flocked to the border crossings after a botched news announcement spread rapidly that the East German Government would start granting exit visas to anyone who wanted to go to the West.
Fortunately for Jäger, the collapse of the regime meant that he was never punished, although he did put himself out of work and never again held steady employment. He eventually retired to a small garden cottage near the Polish border, gradually becoming forgotten. But the consequences of his actions, combined with the broader historical forces involved, remain with us today. A combination of great and small causes had, for once, given the history-making night of November 9th a happy ending.
It is one of the tragedies of the present day that the peaceful relations between Europe and Russia engendered by the wall’s collapse are once again coming into question.
There is a lot to this story. I have provided a link if you are interested in reading more.
Factors Behind the Fall of the Berlin Wall
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Question of
Bornholm Bridge on the night of November 9, 1989. Familiar with this historic date in history?
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Yes
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No
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Question of
Thousands of celebrants climb atop the Berlin Wall in front of Brandenburg Gate on the night of November 9th, 1989. A significant day in history, correct?
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Yes
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Historical event to remember, celebrate, love and honor. I do hope with the German citizens that they keep the sovereignty of their heritage throughout generations.
I remember it and someone sent me a video of this event but it was all in German
I hope this one was easier to understand.
A great history lesson. Very much appreciate the details shared in this post.
I enjoyed it as well. Thank you!
This is great history, one bloody wall has been torn down, but another wall has been erected and continues to be created without being noticed by many people …
So many walls around the world are up unfortunately Albert.
The story of Berlin wall collapsing always reminded me of George Orwell’s Animal Farm
When Animal Farm was first published, Stalinist Russia was seen as its target. Today it is devastatingly clear that wherever and whenever freedom is attacked, under whatever banner, the clarity and savage comedy of George Orwell’s masterpiece have a meaning and message still very fresh.
Good to see you by the way.
Yeah. Isn’t that sad? History only repeats itself and we are so stupid we never learn ?
i touched the wall when it still stood for the separation of east and west Germany.
I touched the wall again when the wall meant there was one Germany (there are still parts of the wall standing).
A great event of the last century. We have to take care digital walls are not being built and demolish the walls in name of religion, geography…
Taking down takes time and effort.
that is very true, our world is greatly at risk of digital walls far greater than any human wall has ever been.
Historic event for sure when this wall came down.
When I worked for Microsoft i used to go to Seattle and do briefings at the Executive Briefing Center. (EBC) they have a section of the actual Berlin wall in the EBC!
That is cool, did not know that Doc.
One of those greatest historic events of our time. I hope all barriers and enmity between nations will fall.
WE can only hope for the best Dawn.
In fact this was a historic wall with a lot of stories
That is why I wanted to share one of many.
how sad that a man who helped so many never got anything back
A silent hero perhaps
no good deed goes unpunished, perhaps
He should never be forgotten.
yet he was, by the very multitude he helped
I do remember when the wall came tumbling down
Such a historic event we all remember it seems.
I heard a news story on November 9th reminding us how long it had been.
A piece of the Berlin Wall is considered a memorabelia and it is given with a certificate.
So interesting to read about history. We can always learn something new.
That was certainly one historic moment. Great photos.
Yes it was, thanks for reading. The music video above is a good one too.
I well remember this historic moment. There have been quite a few shows on television this week dedicated to this event.
Yes that is also what got me to thinking about reading more.
I remember vividly this happy event for the East German people … Berlin was probably the only city in the world that was deeply divided in the East German Territory into the East and West and you had to travel to the East German Territory, which was protected as a concentration the camp … the East Germans were really very oppressed … every resident was guarded by an undercover officer
Incredible history to read about, thank you for sharing more of the story.
Many times I have traveled to Berlin and felt the life in a divided city on my own skin … the guides said a lot in what impossible ways they wanted to escape to a better life
It must have been a sight to behold.
Can you imagine, I cannot. What an event.
I heard a news story on November 9th reminding us how long it had been. That is why I started reading about it again.