“Twenty years ago, on November 9, 1989, the most visible symbol of totalitarian evil, the Berlin Wall, tumbled down. Two years later, the Soviet Union officially dissolved on Christmas Day 1991.

The Berlin Wall was built in 1961 during the Cold War to separate the Soviet-controlled East and the Democratic West. The wall, made of concrete and barbed wire, stood for 28 years.

Danson continued, “Somebody came running in and said, ‘Oh, Woody’s in Berlin. The wall is coming down and he couldn’t miss it. He said he’ll be back soon.'” ...

TimeRide Berlin opened in late August ahead of celebrations of the 30th anniversary of the triumphant fall of the Wall on November 9, 1989 in a peaceful people's revolution.

1989 November 9: After enormous public demonstrations, the Berlin Wall comes down. 1990 October 3: East and West Germany are reunified.

Douglas Hamilton, the Reuters Chief Correspondent for the Balkans, covered the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. In the following story, he recalls the momentous events of November 9, 1989.

The Kennedy and Reagan speeches defined the Berlin Wall. The first speech helped make it an international symbol of political oppression. The second arguably helped bring it down.

The Berlin Wall was built in 1961 during the Cold War to separate the Soviet-controlled East and the Democratic West. The wall, made of concrete and barbed wire, stood for 28 years.