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20 Years After the Fall: the Berlin Wall, East Germany and the Cold War
VOA ^ | 11/2/09 | http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-11-02-voa37.cfm

Posted on 11/02/2009 12:50:50 PM PST by Kartographer

For nearly three decades the Berlin Wall was the symbol of the Cold War - it divided a city and in effect the entire country. And then on November 9, 1989 it crumbled and with it Communist East Germany and the Cold War itself.

On the outskirts of Berlin lies the Glienicke Bridge. It spans the Havel River and connects Berlin to the neighboring city of Potsdam.

Its idyllic setting belies a darker history. During the height of the Cold War, it was known as the Bridge of Spies - where communist and western officials exchanged secret agents that had been found out.

(Excerpt) Read more at voanews.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Germany
KEYWORDS: berlinwall; coldwar; communismkills; reaganlegacy

1 posted on 11/02/2009 12:50:51 PM PST by Kartographer
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To: Kartographer

Have other Presidents visited during anniversary?


2 posted on 11/02/2009 12:52:07 PM PST by Vendome (Don't take life so seriously... You'll never live through it.)
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To: Kartographer

"It was a sad day for True Believers...." < /sarc >

3 posted on 11/02/2009 12:55:20 PM PST by a fool in paradise (I refuse to "reduce my carbon footprint" all while Lenin remains in an airconditioned shrine)
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To: Kartographer

Obama was busy at a $ 17,000 a plate dinner dance.


4 posted on 11/02/2009 12:56:39 PM PST by pabianice
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To: Kartographer

Has anyone visited East Germany during its DDR years?

I visited Cz in August ‘89 before the various regimes fell.
Many Ossies were in Cz for “vacation” that August - didn’t
know they were planning to relocate. Hard to believe that the kids manning the border would have shot them for fleeing.


5 posted on 11/02/2009 12:58:00 PM PST by rahbert
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To: Kartographer

Drudge has links up to polls claiming that Eastern Europeans have given up on democracy and capitalism, and that more than half of all Canadians distrust the U.S. and think that we are not a force for good in the world.

On a planet that is dominated by these sorts of delusions, is it any wonder the mess we’re in?


6 posted on 11/02/2009 1:05:35 PM PST by Buckeye McFrog
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To: rahbert

I was station in West Berlin from 84-88 and went into East Berlin about once per month during my tour.
What would you like to know about East Berlin?


7 posted on 11/02/2009 6:39:25 PM PST by ops33 (Senior Master Sergeant, USAF (Retired))
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