The Berlin Wall was erected in 1961 by the East German government. Shortly after the wall was built, President John F. Kennedy ordered the U.S. forces to build three checkpoints at different points in the wall through which diplomatic corps and allied forces could enter West Berlin. Checkpoint Charlie became the most famous. Checkpoint Charlie got its name from the American alphabet. The others were Alpha and Bravo…a, b, c. By 1962, this checkpoint was the only place that foreigners visiting Berlin could cross from West to East and back again. Checkpoint Charlie was removed in June of 1990, when German reunification was finally complete and nearly a year after the Wall came down. Today, a line of bricks traces the path where the Berlin Wall once stood and visitors will find a replica of the Checkpoint Charlie booth and sign at the original site. The original booth is in the Allied Museum in Zehlendorf. The watchtower, also part of the original checkpoint, was removed in 2000 to make way for stores and offices even though, there currently is no commercial buildings occupying the space.
To view the news articles from the time of Checkpoint Charlie visit here (or click on link):
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/1062037.stm
For more on the Wall and Checkpoint Charlie (or click on the link):
http://www.dhm.de/ENGLISH/ausstellungen/breakthrough/S4.htm
For extra credit:
*What was the reason the Wall came down? (first person to comment correctly, be sure to identify self and period number)
*Why was Checkpoint Charlie the most famous? (first person to comment correctly, be sure to identify self and period number) Also, if you did the first question, please let someone else answer this one :)
The sticker on the Berlin Wall artifact reads: "Original Berliner Mauer, Checkpoint Charlie, The Wall-Le Mur, 13.8.1961-9.11.1989."
4 comments:
The reason the Berlin Wall came down was for the end of communism. Along with reuniting a country to be one. This would happen after removal of the former communist leader.
Sara Fisher
U.S. History-4
5/13/09
The reason the Berlin Wall came down was because the Soviet Union dissolved ending commmunism in that country. This caused the people of Berlin to be free, and to be able to go on the other side of the wall. This is because Soviet Union Leader was removed.
Josh Erger
U.S. History 0
5-27-09
Checkpoint Charlie was the most famous checkpoint becuase it was the only border crossing checkpoint for foreigners visiting Berlin. Even the Allied forces and other important officers had to use this checkpoint to cross. When President Kennedy visited this checkpoint, it hit its peak in regard to the close ties between the U.S. and the city.
Tim Tavenner
U.S. History - 4
5/31/09
Germany was reunited through the destruction of this wall, common people from both sides, even some soldeirs helped with taking it down. Picks, Basball bats, Cars, everyone was doing anything and everything they could to help get the wall down, as well as get a peice of the wall themselves of course. I know this because my grandmother and grandfather were there, both with Pick axes in hand to help bring down the wall, I know its not so much as why the wall came down but how, everyone else had already done why (Sorry Ms Fettig)
Daniel Powell
U.S. History-3
2/17/10
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