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Germany Hails Anniversary of Berlin Wall's Fall

Dominoes, fireworks, music help mark 20 years

By M. Morris,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 8, 2009 10:21 PM CST | Updated Nov 9, 2009 8:54 AM CST

(Newser) – Hundreds of foam dominoes will fall today in Berlin, symbolizing the collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe on the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Chancellor Angela Merkel, who has called Nov. 9, 1989, "the happiest day in recent German history," will lead the festivities. The guest list includes Hillary Clinton, Nicolas Sarkozy, Gordon Brown, and Lech Walesa. A concert at the landmark Brandenburg Gate and a fireworks display will end the celebration.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, and former Polish President Lech Walesa cross the Bornholmer Bruecke, Bornholm bridge in Berlin, Germany, Monday.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, and former Polish President Lech Walesa cross the Bornholmer Bruecke, Bornholm bridge in Berlin, Germany, Monday.   (AP Photo/Herbert Knosowski)
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev cross the Bornholmer Bruecke, Bornholm bridge in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Nov. 9, 2009.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev cross the Bornholmer Bruecke, Bornholm bridge in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Nov. 9, 2009.   (AP Photo/Herbert Knosowski)
Spectators run across the bridge at Bornholmer Street to reserve a good spot as a barrier is removed in Berlin.
Spectators run across the bridge at Bornholmer Street to reserve a good spot as a barrier is removed in Berlin.   (AP Photo/Gero Breloer)
A woman holds a rose and a brochure that reads: '20 Years Fall of the Wall, November 1989' while attending a commemorative ceremony.
A woman holds a rose and a brochure that reads: '20 Years Fall of the Wall, November 1989' while attending a commemorative ceremony.   (Getty Images)
Hillary Clinton and German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle share a laugh after a joint press conference in Berlin, Monday.
Hillary Clinton and German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle share a laugh after a joint press conference in Berlin, Monday.   (AP Photo/Franka Bruns)
A model wearing a dress inspired by the mural behind her on a portion of the remaining Berlin Wall known as the East Side Gallery, which has undergone a year-long restoration effort ahead of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Wall.
A model wearing a dress inspired by the mural behind her on a portion of the remaining Berlin Wall known as the East Side Gallery, which has undergone a year-long restoration effort ahead of the 20th...   (Getty Images)
Trumpeter Elisabeth Gabriel, 75, plays at a commemorative ceremony at a still-existing section of the Berlin Wall.
Trumpeter Elisabeth Gabriel, 75, plays at a commemorative ceremony at a still-existing section of the Berlin Wall.   (Getty Images)
Visitors kindle candles at the still-existing section of the Berlin Wall at the Bernauer Strasse memorial on the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Wall.
Visitors kindle candles at the still-existing section of the Berlin Wall at the Bernauer Strasse memorial on the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Wall.   (Getty Images)
People are seen walking around large plastic-foam dominoes, prior to commemorations of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, in Berlin.
People are seen walking around large plastic-foam dominoes, prior to commemorations of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, in Berlin.   (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)
Dominoes at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Nov. 7, 2009. During Monday's Festival of Freedom commemoration event on the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, the dominoes will topple.
Dominoes at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Nov. 7, 2009. During Monday's Festival of Freedom commemoration event on the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, the dominoes will topple.   (AP Photo/Herbert Knosowski)
Dominoes stand near the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Nov. 7, 2009. Around 1,000 dominoes were placed on the former border near the gate for the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Dominoes stand near the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Nov. 7, 2009. Around 1,000 dominoes were placed on the former border near the gate for the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.   (AP Photo/Herbert Knosowski)
East Berliners climb onto the Berlin Wall to celebrate the effective end of the city's partition, 31st December 1989.
East Berliners climb onto the Berlin Wall to celebrate the effective end of the city's partition, 31st December 1989.   (Getty Images)
1989: A German man being hauled onto the top of the Berlin Wall by a group already standing on the top
1989: A German man being hauled onto the top of the Berlin Wall by a group already standing on the top   (Getty Images)
Heinz Meixner with his fiancee and her mother Frau Thurau, show how they arranged themselves in his Austin-Healey Sprite to drive through the Berlin Wall, Germany, circa 1965.
Heinz Meixner with his fiancee and her mother Frau Thurau, show how they arranged themselves in his Austin-Healey Sprite to drive through the Berlin Wall, Germany, circa 1965.   (Getty Images)
West Berliners peering through the Berlin Wall into the Eastern sector near Check Point Charlie.
West Berliners peering through the Berlin Wall into the Eastern sector near Check Point Charlie.   (Getty Images)
A section of the Berlin Wall at Klemkestrasse, in the Reinickendorf district of Berlin, 30th June 1962.
A section of the Berlin Wall at Klemkestrasse, in the Reinickendorf district of Berlin, 30th June 1962.   (Getty Images)
A watchtower on the Berlin Wall, between Gross-Glienicke in the city of Potsdam and the West Berlin district of Kladow, 13th June 1962.
A watchtower on the Berlin Wall, between Gross-Glienicke in the city of Potsdam and the West Berlin district of Kladow, 13th June 1962.   (Getty Images)
A citizen of East Berlin peers through barbed wire at a West Berliner over the Berlin Wall , Berlin, Germany, 1960s.
A citizen of East Berlin peers through barbed wire at a West Berliner over the Berlin Wall , Berlin, Germany, 1960s.   (Getty Images)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 6 comments
USAHomeofthebrave
Nov 9, 2009 12:45 PM CST
Obama's not going? Perhaps if the germans built the wall back up Obama would go.
cochiserocks
Nov 9, 2009 11:54 AM CST
Massive respect to the end of the wall, but "The guest list includes Hillary Clinton, Nicolas Sarkozy, Gordon Brown, and Lech Walesa." is the most surreal door policy I've ever seen.
JoeQ
Nov 9, 2009 6:38 AM CST
Funny.:)

 
Hillary Clinton • Angela Merkel • Germany • Eastern Europe • Berlin • Nicolas Sarkozy • Gordon Brown • East Germany • Berlin Wall • Communism • West Germany • Lech Walesa • Brandenburg Gate

 
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