The Berlin Wall’s Dark Legacy Began on August 13, 1961
August 13 marks one of the darkest days in German history. On this date in 1961, East Germany began sealing off West Berlin, erecting what would become the infamous Berlin Wall. The barrier, officially called an 'anti-fascist protective barrier,' was designed to stop people fleeing to the West.
The construction started overnight on August 13, 1961. Barricades, concrete posts, and barbed-wire fences quickly divided the city. Within days, a four-metre-high wall stretched across Berlin, cutting families and neighbourhoods apart.
Today, August 13 serves as a day of remembrance for those who suffered under the Berlin Wall. The date stands as a stark reminder of the human cost of oppression—and the enduring importance of freedom. At least 140 lives were lost before the wall finally came down in 1989.
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