Historical context of the Berlin Wall and its fall

The Berlin Wall, erected on August 13, 1961, served as a physical division between West Berlin and East Germany to prevent East Germans from fleeing to the West. For 28 years, the wall stood as a symbol of the Cold War and the Iron Curtain.

During its existence, numerous individuals were killed or wounded while attempting to escape. Notable incidents include the death of Peter Fechter in August 1962, who lay in no-man’s land for 50 minutes after being shot, and various other refugees targeted by East German border guards. The wall finally fell on November 9, 1989, when citizens began dismantling the structure.

Conflict also occurred between security forces, such as the May 1962 incident where a West Berlin policeman shot and killed East German border guard Peter Göring while providing covering fire for fugitives.