The Fall of the Berlin Wall

The Berlin Wall was built in 1961 to divide East and West Berlin. For 28 years, it kept families and friends apart. On November 9, 1989, the wall was finally opened. People celebrated by climbing on the wall and breaking it apart.

Why the Wall Was Built

After World War 2, Berlin was split between East and West. East Berlin was controlled by the Soviet Union. Many East Germans tried to escape to the free West. To stop them, the East German government built a tall concrete wall through the middle of the city.

The Wall Comes Down

By 1989, people in East Germany were demanding change. Huge protests filled the streets. On November 9, the government announced that people could cross freely. Thousands rushed to the wall in celebration. People used hammers to chip away pieces as souvenirs.

Fun Facts

• The Berlin Wall was about 96 miles long and surrounded all of West Berlin.
• Over 5,000 people successfully escaped over or under the Berlin Wall.
• Pieces of the Berlin Wall can now be found in museums all around the world.

Did You Know?

Some people escaped over the Berlin Wall using hot air balloons, tunnels, and even a zip line.