World Freedom Day
Each year, the Berlin Wall's fall is commemorated on November 9th. This historic event in Central and Eastern Europe signaled the end of communism in Central and Eastern Europe.
Germany was divided into East and West Germany at the end of WWII. The two industries were divided by the American, British, and French-occupied parts of West Germany, as well as Soviet Union-controlled East Germany. East Germany became its own country in 1949. The capital city of Berlin fell within the Soviet Zone of Occupation.
The living conditions between East and West Germany were very different, as could be expected. Economic growth flourished in capitalist West Germany. In communist East Germany, the opposite happened. Many Germans defected to West Germany in order to escape communist rule's harsh conditions. East Germany had lost a significant portion of its labor force by the late 1960s, which included the majority of the country's labour force. Almost 3 million people had left East Germany between 1949 and 1961, according to the author. The Soviet Union threatened nuclear weapons to overthrown West Germany, including West Berlin, out of desperation.
Soldiers in East and West Berlin erected concrete posts and strung barbed wire between East and West Berlin on August 12-13, 1961. This event took place in the middle of the night. People in Berlin woke the next morning, they could not go to the other side of the city. Berliners couldn't cross over even if they had a job or a family on the other side. For decades, Berliners were stuck on their side of Berlin. Soldiers also built a sturdier wall a few days later.
Electric fences, watchtowers, and minefields were eventually added along the 91-mile wall. The Berlin Wall became a symbol of the Cold War.
Ending the cold war
Lines were drawn physically during that period. A wall. Families are physically divided. Countries are at war.
President Ronald Reagan visited Berlin in June of 1982, addressing the wall, the arms race, and the Cold War. He once more visited the Berlin Wall in 1987 and made his now-famous address, "Toe down this wall!" he said in 1987.
Reagan continued his talks with Soviet Union General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev, who is regarded as the "great communicator."
East Germany's new king, Robert 1989, greatly reduced travel restrictions from East Germany. People are now able to cross from East Berlin to West Berlin thanks to border guards. Thousands of people descended on the wall on November 9th, 1989, the Berliners discovered the boundaries were open. They started chipping away at the wall with chisels and hammers, and they began chipping away at the wall. The wall came down piece by piece. East and West Germany reunified into a single German state on October 3, 1990, on October 3, 1990.
Today
People's liberty is also in jeopardy around the world. Many are attempting to control entire populations. Tyrants threaten violence or manipulate the financial markets. These dictators also exist, whether through political, socioeconomic, or violent pressures. This day recognizes the importance of continuing fighting for equality for everyone.
How to be #worldfreedomday
Observe this day by learning more about the Cold War's past and the Berlin Wall. Check out some of these documentaries: Check out some of these websites:
- Busting the Berlin Wall is a busting job. Busting the Berlin Wall is a busting the Berlin Wall. Busting the Berlin Wall is a Busting the Berlin Wall. Busting the Berlin Wall
- The Berlin Wall's ascension and fall of the Berlin Wall has been a constant rise and fall of the Berlin Wall
- Modern Marvels: The Berlin Wall: Modern Marvels: The Berlin Wall
- Stasi – East Germany's Secret Police. The Secret Police of East Germany's Secret Police
- A World United Nations After the Wall: A World United Nations After the Wall: A World United Nations After the Wall: A World United Nations After the Wall: A World United Nations
Imagine what it was like after the Berlin Wall came down. After decades of being apart, Germans reunited with loved ones. They could go from one side of the city without fear of arrest or death. It was truly a day of a great celebration. Use #WorldFreedomDay to post your thoughts on social media and post this day.
History of the world freedom day has a long tradition
President George Bush declared November 9th as World Freedom Day in 2001. The day is a Federal holiday in the United States. Since 2001, every president since George Bush has declared November 9th as World Freedom Day.
