People around the world are celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Berlin Wall’s fall. In 1989 the wall came tumbling down, marking the end of the Cold War and promising hope of a unified Germany. German Chancellor Merkel, France’s Sarkozy, UK Prime Minister Brown and US Diplomat Hillary Clinton joined together at the Brandenburg Gate to commensurate the event.

While celebration was in order, the leaders warned that much still needs to be done in the area of human rights. Clinton noted that there are millions of people who are separated not by a physical wall but “who are separated by their loved ones, who are kept behind, who are locked behind bars”.^*

UK Prime Minister Brown also addressed the distressed state of Darfur, the poverty in Africa, and the suffering in Zimbabwe and Burma. PM Brown thanked the people of Berlin for showing that “individuals in pain” do not need to suffer without having hope.^*

The 12 ft high wall was part of a 96 mile fortification system that was built in 1961 and was a symbol of the then Communist government of Germany.  The wall prevented people from West Germany and East Germany from freely crossing borders for over 28 years. The wall was East Germany’s attempt to regulate people’s movement and prevent people from leaving the country. On November 9^th 1989 a press conference released the news that travel restrictions across the borders were lifted. The news marked the beginning of the fall of the communist governments that had ruled in Germany and citizens began the historical deconstruction of the wall days later.

Majority of the Berlin wall has been completely removed, only a few remnants of the wall can be found. The 20^th Anniversary celebration was rounded off with fireworks and a performance from the rock group Bon Jovi.

The Berlin Wall’s collapse is thought to be one of the most symbolic events in modern history. As many of the political figures suggested, the events of 1989 were important but there are still many strides that need to be made in the area of Human Rights.

*Excerpt from BBC News Website

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