In August Berlin 1961, the capital of Germany was dramatically divided into two separate parts. Between East Berlin and West Berlin was built the huge and alarming Berlin Wall. People were appalled by the terrible results of the Cold War, but what could they do? Families were split, homes were destroyed, dreams of free lives gone. But how was the Christmas Eve 1961 in Berlin? Berlin-Wall.co.uk informs about the Iron Curtain.
In December 1961 John F. Kennedy, the former president of the United States of America who was killed in 1963 in Dallas, sent the people of West Berlin an emotional message: “No wall can keep out this light.” Was that true? How about the people in East Berlin? Nobody knew what might happen. Nobody could pass to the other side. All crossing points in Berlin and the German Democratic Republic were closed. There was no chance of escape. People who wanted to flee had been shot, only a few citizens of East Berlin managed to win their freedom. The situation was very hard, especially when children and their parents were split. Sadness, loneliness and fear - that was Christmas 1961 with the Iron Curtain in Germany. That was Christmas for more than 28 years. But the population of the GDR got used to the situation - although not all: In 1962 more than 50 people escaped through a self-built tunnel under the Berlin Wall in the Bernauer Straße. During Christmas Eve and the New Year holidays between 1970 and 1971 further citizens of East Berlin escaped to the other side. It was very dramatic.
Berlin-Wall.co.uk reports on the various situations along the Berlin Wall. On this page all those who are interested in German History and in the Cold War can find more information about this monument, about feelings, events and separation. Berlin-Wall.co.uk is a project of Berlintelligence by Eventelligence ltd. And it is owned by real East Berlin residents, who know about the time and the Christmas Eve in 1961 with the Iron Curtain.
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