The Fall of the Berlin Wall
Issue date: 11/13/09 Section: News
This is an account Armin Prediger wrote shortly after Nov. 9, 1989, for publication in the Drexel University (where his future wife was a student) newspaper The Triangle. He remembers handwriting this and faxing it over. Inaccuracies and flaws in perspective, et cetera, are wholly his, but please keep in mind this was written freshly following the events.
Thursday, Nov. 9
At 7 p.m., the news is announced on East German television: all travel restrictions to West Germany and West Berlin are lifted. The message is picked up by a stunned nation. It may be hard for an American citizen to imagine the kind of reaction that this news provokes. Perhaps the image of a wall splitting New York City or Washington, D.C. into a capitalist and communist half for forty years can give you some idea.
The people-West German and East German - are delirious. We go to the border and see the first of the East German cars driving into the west. The spirit is infectious. Touching the East German cars and stretched-out hands is an exhilarating experience; it is impossible not to be happy in the middle of this crowd. People are laughing, drinking champagne and beer.
There is no control at all. At my second checkpoint, I walk over to the other side. There is a huge line of people and cars and everyone is talking to everyone else. Border guards are laughing and joking with people.
The young people coming over are laughing, but many of the older people face the situation more serenely. Tears surface, partly in joy, partly in frustration, at so many lost years. On this night, love unites every single one of these people.
The Kurfürstendamm (Kudamm for short), the most famous street in Berlin, is closed down in chaos. East German cars drive all over town honking. People wander in a daze around this museum of luxury. Most go over for a quick look, to visit their relatives or to push aside any doubt that it can be done.
The financial situation is rough for the East Germans. The rate of exchange is one to ten; a glass of beer here can cost them 40 East-marks, for most about half a day's pay. West Germany is a good host, though; 100 marks greeting money are given to each and every East German visitor, and most of us hand them a little extra spending money. The spirit of unity, for now, breaks through that financial barrier. Friends, relatives and complete strangers buy them food and drink.
Thursday, Nov. 9
At 7 p.m., the news is announced on East German television: all travel restrictions to West Germany and West Berlin are lifted. The message is picked up by a stunned nation. It may be hard for an American citizen to imagine the kind of reaction that this news provokes. Perhaps the image of a wall splitting New York City or Washington, D.C. into a capitalist and communist half for forty years can give you some idea.
The people-West German and East German - are delirious. We go to the border and see the first of the East German cars driving into the west. The spirit is infectious. Touching the East German cars and stretched-out hands is an exhilarating experience; it is impossible not to be happy in the middle of this crowd. People are laughing, drinking champagne and beer.
There is no control at all. At my second checkpoint, I walk over to the other side. There is a huge line of people and cars and everyone is talking to everyone else. Border guards are laughing and joking with people.
The young people coming over are laughing, but many of the older people face the situation more serenely. Tears surface, partly in joy, partly in frustration, at so many lost years. On this night, love unites every single one of these people.
The Kurfürstendamm (Kudamm for short), the most famous street in Berlin, is closed down in chaos. East German cars drive all over town honking. People wander in a daze around this museum of luxury. Most go over for a quick look, to visit their relatives or to push aside any doubt that it can be done.
The financial situation is rough for the East Germans. The rate of exchange is one to ten; a glass of beer here can cost them 40 East-marks, for most about half a day's pay. West Germany is a good host, though; 100 marks greeting money are given to each and every East German visitor, and most of us hand them a little extra spending money. The spirit of unity, for now, breaks through that financial barrier. Friends, relatives and complete strangers buy them food and drink.
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