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Germany Celebrates Fall of the Wall

Twenty years later, unified country celebrates togetherness

By M. Morris,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 9, 2009 5:51 PM CST
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(Newser) – Fireworks illuminated the rainy skies above Berlin as Germans and high-profile visitors came together today to commemorate the fall of the Berlin Wall exactly 20 years ago. President Obama unexpectedly joined the festivities—in a video greeting introduced by Hillary Clinton. "There could be no clearer rebuke of tyranny," he said of the toppling of the barrier, which was re-enacted with 1,000 8-foot tall foam dominoes. "There could be no stronger affirmation of freedom."

Giant dominoes placed along the former border in front of the Brandenburg Gate fall today in Berlin during the commemorations of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Giant dominoes placed along the former border in front of the Brandenburg Gate fall today in Berlin during the commemorations of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.   (AP Photo/Gero Breloer)
Dominoes symbolizing the Berlin Wall fall today in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. Writing on the screens reads Freedom.
Dominoes symbolizing the Berlin Wall fall today in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. Writing on the screens reads "Freedom".   (AP Photo/Herbert Knosowski)
Hillary Clinton poses with German students and one of the 8-foot foam dominoes that helped commemorate the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall today near the Brandenburg Gate.
Hillary Clinton poses with German students and one of the 8-foot foam dominoes that helped commemorate the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall today near the Brandenburg Gate.   (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)
European Parliament president Jerzy Buzek and European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso, second and third from right, help topple symbolic dominoes today in Berlin.
European Parliament president Jerzy Buzek and European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso, second and third from right, help topple symbolic dominoes today in Berlin.   (AP Photo/Eckehard Schulz)
Giant domino pieces installed along a stretch of the Berlin Wall's original path in front of Brandenburg Gate in Berlin during today's celebrations of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the wall.
Giant domino pieces installed along a stretch of the Berlin Wall's original path in front of Brandenburg Gate in Berlin during today's celebrations of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the wall.   (AP Photo/Wolfgang Rattay, pool)
Former Polish president Lech Walesa gives thumbs up in front of the first domino block on the corner of the Reichstag Gate today in Berlin.
Former Polish president Lech Walesa gives thumbs up in front of the first domino block on the corner of the Reichstag Gate today in Berlin.   (AP Photo/Fabian Bimmer)
Fallen dominoes symbolizing the former Berlin Wall lie along the former border of East and West Berlin in front of the Brandenburg Gate during today's festivities.
Fallen dominoes symbolizing the former Berlin Wall lie along the former border of East and West Berlin in front of the Brandenburg Gate during today's festivities.   (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)
Dominoes symbolizing the Berlin Wall lay on the ground after falling in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, during today's commemorations of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Dominoes symbolizing the Berlin Wall lay on the ground after falling in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, during today's commemorations of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.   (AP Photo/Herbert Knosowski)
Dominoes placed along the former border in front of the Brandenburg Gate fall in a symbolic act today in Berlin during the commemorations of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Dominoes placed along the former border in front of the Brandenburg Gate fall in a symbolic act today in Berlin during the commemorations of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.   (AP Photo/Gero Breloer)
Spectators take cover from the rain near the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin during today's commemorations of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Spectators take cover from the rain near the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin during today's commemorations of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.   (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
Fireworks color the sky above the Brandenburg Gate today in Berlin during the commemorations of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Fireworks color the sky above the Brandenburg Gate today in Berlin during the commemorations of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.   (AP Photo/Gero Breloer)
Gordon Brown, Nicolas Sarkozy, German chancellor Angela Merkel, Dmitry Medvedev, and German president Horst Koehler wave to the crowd at the Brandenburg Gate today in rainy but festive Berlin.
Gordon Brown, Nicolas Sarkozy, German chancellor Angela Merkel, Dmitry Medvedev, and German president Horst Koehler wave to the crowd at the Brandenburg Gate today in rainy but festive Berlin.   (AP Photo/Gero Breloer)
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton beams as she arrives for a reception hosted by German president Horst Koehler and chancellor Angela Merkel at the Bellevue Palace today in Berlin.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton beams as she arrives for a reception hosted by German president Horst Koehler and chancellor Angela Merkel at the Bellevue Palace today in Berlin.   (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)
Spectators react near the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Nov. 9, 2009, during the commemorations of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall on Nov.9, 1989.
Spectators react near the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Nov. 9, 2009, during the commemorations of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall on Nov.9, 1989.   (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
Dominoes collapse along the former border in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Nov. 9, 2009, during the commemorations of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall on Nov.9, 1989.
Dominoes collapse along the former border in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Nov. 9, 2009, during the commemorations of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall on Nov.9, 1989.   (AP Photo/Eckehard Schulz)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
Guava_Jelly
Nov 10, 2009 4:58 AM CST
Ummm...he's too busy for this insignificant event, perhaps if it were the Chicago Olypics.... How bout the Vice President of the United States? No...he's attending a fundraiser in Detroit rather than celebrating the fall of the Berlin Wall.
serfinWI
Nov 10, 2009 2:43 AM CST
He already used up his carbon allotment of jet time picking up his peace award and taking Michelle out on dates. Priorities, ya know.
DontLikeYou___
Nov 9, 2009 11:55 AM CST
Why didn't Obama go? Oh, it was celebrating the fall of communism, not its rise.

 
Hillary Clinton • communism • Angela Merkel • Berlin • East Germany • Berlin Wall • Communism • West Germany • Iron Curtain • President Obama

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