The Fall of the Berlin Wall

On June 12, 1987, then-President Ronald Reagan, in attendance of Berlin's founding celebration, stood on a podium in front of the Brandenburg Gate; the graffitied Berlin Wall in the background.

Mr. Reagan cited some of that graffiti in his epic speech that day saying, "As I looked out a moment ago from the Reichstag, that embodiment of German unity, I noticed words crudely spray-painted upon the wall, perhaps by a young Berliner: 'This wall will fall. Beliefs become reality.' Yes, across Europe, this wall will fall. For it cannot withstand faith; it cannot withstand truth. The wall cannot withstand freedom."

That graffiti and Reagan's words would prove to be prophetic just two years later, when a chain of events set in motion the final months of a divided Germany.

Mass escapes by East Germans during the late summer of 1989, and protest demonstrations that rocked the Communist division that September—known as the Peaceful Revolution—led to the resignation of longtime East German leader Erich Honecker in October of 1989.

What I found to be not widely known however, is that during this time there had been ongoing "Peace Vigils"—prayer meetings—which were held at Nikolai Church in the East German town of Leipzig.

According to an article written by Elizabeth Pond for the CSM, the Nikolai peace vigils began to "grow exponentially" in 1989.

Ms. Pond writes in her account of the catalytic peace march in October of '89: The 10,000 of the previous week were not scared away. Astonishingly, they were joined by 60,000 others who also cast aside their fear and walked past Stasi headquarters chanting, "Wir sind das Volk." "We are the people."

Germany's first successful revolution in history was bloodless. East German parliamentary Speaker Horst Sindermann famously admitted later, "We were ready for everything—everything except candles and prayers."

The wave of refugees escaping East Germany through Czechoslovakia increased dramatically, while on November 4th, 1989, a million protesters gathered in Alexanderplaz, East Berlin.

Not wishing to incite violence, the decision was made to allow people to exit from East to West Germany via some of the checkpoints in the coming days. However, on November 9th, when the decision was mistakenly, publicly announced as "effective immediately, without delay," the checkpoints were soon overwhelmed by East Germans demanding access to the West, and guards relented, opening the crossings.

In later days, as the access became more official, people took sledgehammers to the concrete wall, in both symbolic gesture and to break off pieces for personal souvenirs.

The wall was officially dismantled on June 13th, 1990 by the East German military, and on July 1st, West German currency was adopted by East Germany, and all border controls reportedly ceased. (Photo: Portion of free side of wall/AJH)

Today, portions and pieces of the Berlin Wall exist as reminders in various locations; one of them appropriately, on the grounds of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Library. The wall slice reveals the stark difference between freedom and creativity in the often beautiful and meaningful graffiti of the West side, contrasted by the tyranny that keeps expression chained, as seen in the desolate East side of the slab.

The Berlin Wall display at the Reagan Library stands near to a plaque with words from Reagan's monumental speech at the Brandenburg Gate, here is another excerpt from it: (Photo: Same portion-East German side of wall/AJH)

"We welcome change and openness; for we believe that freedom and security go together, that the advance of human liberty can only strengthen the cause of world peace. There is one sign the Soviets can make that would be unmistakable, that would advance dramatically the cause of freedom and peace. General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization, come here to this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" –Pres. Ronald Reagan, 1987.

Sources: Elizabeth Pond – Christian Science Monitor, Wikipedia, HistoryPlace.com