"THE GATES IN THE WALL STAND OPEN WIDE"

EAST GERMANY OPENS TRAVEL TO WEST BERLIN

East Berlin, Germany (JFK+50) On November 9, 1989, East German officials opened the Berlin Wall allowing travel from East Berlin to West Berlin for the first time since the wall was erected in 1961.

ARD, the German Public Service Broadcasting Network, announced that evening...

"This 9 November is a historic day.  Starting immediately, borders are open to everyone.  The gates in the wall stand open wide."

JFK+50 NOTE

Today, little remains of the Berlin Wall, only sections stretching 260 feet. Originally, a barbed wire fence was installed (Aug 13 1961) which was soon expanded to cement walls & guard towers. 

Soviet premier Khrushchev had demanded the West to evacuate West Berlin within six months precipitating the Berlin Crisis 1958-1961. West Berlin was completely surrounded by East (Communist) Germany.  The crisis was resolved by the wall.  As JFK remarked privately, "a wall is a hell of a lot better than a (nuclear) war."

JFK+50'S 1ST POST 14 YEARS AGO TODAY

On November 9, 2011, JFK+50 filed its first post.  Today, we file our 5,395th post.  We have had 1,818,400+ page views with visitors from most every country in the world.

Our top ten nations in order of numbers are United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Australia, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands & Brazil.  

Our top cities in order of numbers are Mountain View, California, Redmond, Washington, Ottawa, Ontario, New York City, NY, Palo Alto, California, Los Angeles, California & Washington, D.C.

SOURCES

"November 9, 1989," This Day In History, www.history.com/

"The Berlin Crisis, 1958-1961," Office of the Historian, www.history.state.gov/

Remaining Stretch of the Berlin Wall

Herraotic

CC-BY-SA 3.0

www.wikimedia.org/

"A WALL IS A HELL OF A LOT BETTER THAN A WAR"

CONSTRUCTION BEGINS ON BERLIN WALL

East Berlin (JFK+50) On August 13, 1961, the government of communist East Germany announced that a wall was being constructed in order to permanently divide the eastern and western parts of the city of Berlin.

East German guards were posted to stop anyone from crossing the border. While the wall was under construction, barbed wire was used to separate the two parts of the city.  The Newseum says...

 "The Berlin Wall was built to keep citizens in, rather than to keep an enemy out."

Along the border of East and West Berlin the wall ran 26.8 miles and 96 miles around West Berlin.  The concrete portion of the wall rose to 11.8 feet high and stretched 66 miles in length.

President John F. Kennedy publicly condemned the wall and predicted the future reunification of Germany.  Privately he reportedly said, "A wall is a hell of a lot better than a war."

*The Berlin Wall (1961-1989)  a guarded concrete barrier dividing the German city of Berlin.  While the wall was up, more than 100,000 East Berliners attempted escape with 5000 succeeding.  The wall was toppled on Nov 9 1989 as communist regimes fell in Eastern Europe.  It was completely demolished by 1992 & Germany reunified in Oct 1990.

 

Berlin Wall Display

The Newseum

Washington, D.C. (2017)

Photos by John White 

 

JFK at the Berlin Wall

June 26, 1963

Photo by Robert Knudsen

JFK Library Photo

A WALL IS A HELL OF A LOT BETTER THAN A WAR

THE BERLIN WALL GOES UP

Berlin (JFK+50) On August 13, 1961, the East German government began construction of a wall designed to permanently divide the eastern and western parts of the city of Berlin.  East German guards were posted to stop anyone from crossing the border. While the wall was under construction, barbed wire was used to separate the two parts of the city.

The Berlin Wall had been under consideration throughout most of the 1950s as 3.5 million East Germans crossed over into West Berlin.  By 1960, East Germany had only 61% of its population at working age vs. 70.5% at the end of WWII.  Its losses as a result were estimated between $7 and $9 billion.

The Berlin Wall  stretched 96 miles with 69.5 miles along the border between East and West Berlin.  The height of the wall was 11.8 feet.  Between 1961 and 1989 there were 5000 attempts by East Berliners to cross over the border.

West Berlin became isolated from the Free World completely surrounded by Communist territory as the city was located within the boundaries of East Germany.  The wall was built at a time of increasing tensions of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union.

While President John F. Kennedy was not particularly pleased with the wall, he said to his aides privately, "a wall is a hell-of-a-lot better than a war." A panel at Washington, D.C.'s Newseum reads...  

"In the early morning hours of August 13, 1961, the Berlin Wall appeared without warning.  Communist-controlled East Germany strung barbed wire (and) guards were ordered to shoot anyone trying to enter West Berlin."

SOURCE

Newseum, 555 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. www.newseum.org/

Original Fragment of the Berlin Wall

Newseum Collection

Washington, D.C. (2016)

Photo by John White

KENNEDY ADMINISTRATION RESPONDS IN BERLIN

JFK+50:  Volume 6, No. 2048

ANY THREAT TO FREE ACCESS TO WEST BERLIN IS ACT OF AGGRESSION

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) Fifty-five years ago today, August 24, 1961, the administration of President John F. Kennedy released a statement warning the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and East Germany that any threat to free access to West Berlin* would be considered an act of aggression.

The statement followed a Soviet note of August 23rd which included charges against the United States and her allies.  The White House described the note as "one more step in a deliberate campaign of deception and attempted intimidation designed to distract attention from (Soviet) failures and to heighten world tension."

According to Dr. Donald A. Carter of the United States Army Center of Military History, commanders of the three Allied garrisons in West Berlin (British, French and American) "placed their troops on alert, established checkpoints near border crossings sites and began extensive patrols" on August 23, 1961.
In addition, two American tanks were positioned at the Friedrichstrasse crossing point.

These actions were no doubt in response to the replacing the barbed wire with concrete blocks two meters high on August 16th.  The Berlin Wall was now up and its location on the East Berlin side of the border made the possibility of any attempt by the West to take it down unlikely.

If there was an attempt by the United States and her allies to take down the wall, they would be deemed the aggressor and the Cold War would immediately heat up with nuclear war a real possibility.

Nevertheless, in light of "the scarcely veiled threat of aggression against the Allied air routes to and from West Berlin," the Kennedy administration made it clear that we would not tolerate anything less than free access to West Berlin. 

The White House statement of August 24th concluded... 

"The United States must serve a solemn warning to the Soviet Union that any interference by the Soviet Government or its East German regime with free access to West Berlin would be an aggressive act for the consequences of which the Soviet government would bear full responsibility."

SOURCES

"Berlin Timeline: 1945-1990," The Cold War Museum, www.coldwar.org/

"The U.S. Military Response to the 1960-1962 Berlin Crisis," by Dr. Donald A. Carter, United States Army Center of Military History, www.archives.gov/

"White House Statement Warning the Soviet Union Against Interference With Free Access to Berlin, August 24, 1961," The American Presidency Project, www.presidency.ucsb.edu/

Berlin Wall Exhibit

The Newseum

Washington, D.C.

Photos by John White (2016)

THE BERLIN WALL +55

JFK+50:  Volume 6, No. 2038

EAST GERMANS STARTED BUILDING WALL DIVIDING BERLIN 55 YEARS AGO

Berlin (JFK+50) Fifty-five years ago today, August 13, 1961, the East German government began construction of a wall designed to permanently divide the eastern and western parts of the city of Berlin.

East German guards were posted to stop anyone from crossing the border. While the wall was under construction, barbed wire was used to separate the two parts of the city.

The Berlin Wall had been under consideration throughout most of the 1950s as 3.5 million East Germans crossed over into West Berlin.  By 1960, East Germany had only 61% of its population at working age vs. 70.5% at the end of WWII.  Its losses as a result were estimated between $7 and $9 billion.

The Berlin Wall  stretched 96 miles with 69.5 miles along the border between East and West Berlin.  The height of the wall was 11.8 feet.  Between 1961 and 1989 there were 5000 attempts by East Berliners to cross over the border.

West Berlin became isolated from the Free World completely surrounded by Communist territory as the city was located within the boundaries of East Germany.  The wall was built at a time of increasing tensions of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union.

While President John F. Kennedy was not particularly pleased with the wall, he said to his aides privately, "a wall is a hell-of-a-lot better than a war."  During the Cuban Missile Crisis, there was concern that the Soviets would attempt to seize West Berlin.

With the fall of Communist regimes across Europe in the late 1980s, the Berlin Wall was toppled on November 9, 1989.

Today JFK+50 visited the Newseum in Washington, D.C.  It was an opportune time to learn more about the Berlin Wall and to take some appropriate photographs.

In the panel titled "A Caged City," the Newseum tells us...

"In the early morning hours of August 13, 1961, the Berlin Wall appeared without warning.  Communist-controlled East Germany strung barbed wire (and) guards were ordered to shoot anyone trying to enter West Berlin."

SOURCE

Newseum, 555 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. www.newseum.org/

Original Fragment of the Berlin Wall

Newseum Collection

Washington, D.C.

August 13, 2016

Photos by John White

GERMANY UNIFIED 23 YEARS AGO

October 3, 2013

GERMANY UNIFIED 23 YEARS AGO TODAY

Berlin, Federal Republic of Germany (JFK+50) Twenty-three years ago today, October 3, 1990, East and West Germany were united for the first time since 1945.  Today, October 3, 2013, is a national holiday in the Federal Republic.

Germany became divided in 1945 when troops of the Soviet Union occupied the eastern part of the country with Britain, France and the United States controlling the western part.

Between 1945 and 1990, Berlin was a major hot spot in the Cold War with the entire city situated within Communist-controlled East Germany while West Berlin remained free.

Two major crises occurred in Berlin during this period.  

The 1st was the Berlin Blockade of 1948 and 1949 when the Soviets attempted to cut off supplies to West Berlin.  The 2nd came in the Berlin Crisis of 1961 which culminated in the building of the Berlin Wall separating the two parts of the city.

Reunification came less than a year after the destruction of the Berlin Wall which had begun on November 9, 1989.

Today, Germans celebrate "Unity Day" with a citizens' festival called "Burgerfest."

When President John F. Kennedy visited West Berlin on June 26, 1963, he said...

"What is true of this city is...real lasting peace...can never be assured as long as one German out of four is denied the elementary right of free men...to make a free choice.

When all are free, then we can look forward to that day when the city will be joined as one.

When that day finally comes, as it will, then (West Berliners) can (take) satisfaction that they were in the front lines for almost two decades."

SOURCE

www.americanrhetoric.com

               JFK Speaks in West Berlin
                         June 26, 1963
                Photo by Robert Knudsen
                    JFK Library Image

JFK'S "ICH BIN EIN BERLINER" SPEECH 50TH ANNIVERSARY

June 26, 2013

JFK'S "ICH BIN EIN BERLINER" SPEECH GIVEN 50 YEARS AGO TODAY

Berlin, Germany (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy was in West Berlin 50 years ago today, June 26, 1963 where he spoke to a million people crowded in Rudolph Wilde Platz*.

*Rudolph Wilde Platz, located in front of Berlin's City Hall, was renamed John F. Kennedy Platz on November 30, 1963.  A large plaque is mounted on one of the columns of the building in honor of JFK. (see pic below)

President Kennedy's address, given at the Schoneberger Rathaus, began at 12:50 p.m. local time.  JFK first paid tribute to Willy Brandt, Mayor of West Berlin and Chancellor Konrad Adenauer.

JFK, as the leader of the free world in the Cold War against the spread of communism, wanted the people of West Berlin* to know that his country not only recognized the strategic importance of their city but also was with them in the struggle.

*Germany was divided after WWII into 4 zones of occupation with Berlin, located within the Soviet zone, also divided into 4 zones.  Thus, the western zones of the city were completely surrounded by communist territory.

President John F. Kennedy said:

"All free men, wherever they may live, are citizens of Berlin, and therefore, as a free man, I take pride in the words Ich bin ein Berliner."

            JFK Speaks To West Berliners
                       June 26, 1963
             Photo by Robert Knudsen
                   JFK Library Photo
                    

Earlier in his speech, President Kennedy said...

"There are many people in the world who really don't understand...what is the great issue between the free world and the communist world.  Let them come to Berlin."

JFK continued...

"There are...a few who say that it is true that communism is an evil system, but it permits us to make economic progress, Lass sie nach Berlin kommen. Let them come to Berlin."

And in the shadow of the Berlin Wall dividing the city, he said:

"Freedom has many difficulties and democracy is not perfect, but we have never had to put a wall up to keep our people in.

While the wall is the most obvious and vivid demonstration of the failures of the Communist system..it is...an offense not only against history but an offense against humanity, separating families, dividing husbands and wives and brothers and sisters, and dividing a people who wished to be joined together."

The President, prior to his "Ich bin ein Berliner" line, concluded his remarks with these words...

"When all are free, then we can look forward to that day when this city will be joined as one and this country and this great Continent of Europe in a peaceful and hopeful globe.

When that day finally comes, as it will, the people of West Berlin can take sober satisfaction in the fact that they were in the front lines for almost two decades."

West Berliners waved American flags and chanted in unison "Ken-e-dee, Ken-e-dee!"**

**JFK's speech was broken up into short statements so that his translator could repeat his words in German.  After his 1st use of German words and following the translator's words, President Kennedy said: "I appreciate my interpreter translating my German."

           
                            Marker at JFK Platz
                             Berlin, Germany
             Photo by Axel Mauruszat (2008)

WALL DIVIDING BERLIN UNDER CONSTRUCTION

August 13, 1961


WALL DIVIDING BERLIN UNDER CONSTRUCTION


West Berlin, West Germany (JFK+50) The government of communist East Germany announced today that a wall is under construction designed to permanently divide the eastern & western parts of Berlin.


East German guards have been posted to stop anyone from crossing the border.


While the wall is under construction, barbed wire is being used to separate the two parts of the city.


*When completed, the Berlin Wall will stretch for 27 miles in Berlin & 97 miles along the 3 western sections of West Germany.

             JFK at the Berlin Wall
                    June 26, 1963
         Photo by Robert Knudsen
              JFK Library Photo


August 13, 1962


JFK SIGNS WORK HOURS STANDARDS ACT


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy signed the Work Hours Standards Act of 1962 in the oval office at the White House today.


The act, which replaces a series of 8 hour work day laws dating back of 1892, establishes a 40 hour work week.


August 13, 1981


REAGAN SIGNS ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACT


Santa Barbara, California (JFK+50) President Ronald Reagan signed into law today, here at his ranch, the Economic Recovery Tax Act.


The ERTA includes a 25% reduction in individual marginal tax rates phased in over a 3 year period.*


*The ERTA combined with a 1986 tax cut reduced marginal tax rates on higher income taxpayers from 70 to 30%.

                President & Mrs. Reagan
                        January 20, 1981
                National Archives Photo


August 13, 1995


"THE MICK" DIES OF CANCER AT BAYLOR


Dallas, Texas (JFK+50) Former New York Yankee slugger, Mickey Mantle, died at Baylor University Hospital today of liver cancer.


Mantle, who wore #7 & played center field most of his career, was born in Oklahoma in 1931.


He joined the Yankees in 1951 at the age of 19 & retired in 1968.


Mickey Mantle was inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.

Roger Maris & Mickey Mantle (1961)


August 13, 1952


"HOUND DOG" RECORDED BY BIG MAMA THORNTON


Los Angeles, California (JFK+50) Rhythm & Blues artist Ellie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton recorded the tune "Hound Dog" here today.


Miss Thornton, a native of Montgomery, Alabama, made the 1st recording of the song written specifically for her by Jerry Lieber & Mike Stoller.*


*Elvis Presley's version of "Hound Dog", recorded in 1956, is based on a rewritten version by Freddie Bell & the Bellboys who Elvis saw perform in Las Vegas.


August 13, 1940


BATTLE OF BRITAIN BEGINS


London, England (JFK+50) The Battle of Britain began today when the German Luftwaffe began bombing raids on southern England.


The raids were aimed at destroying British radar stations in preparations for an amphibious attack across the English Channel.


Of 1500 German aircraft that took place in today's air attack, 45 were shot down.


The good news is that the Germans were only successful in destroying one radar station on the Isle of Wright.


August 13, 1926


FIDEL CASTRO BORN IN CUBA


Oriente Province, Cuba (JFK+50) Fidel Castro was born here today, the son of a Spanish immigrant who made a fortune building a rail system to transport sugar cane.*


*Castro's forces took control in Cuba on January 1, 1959.  Under his direction, Cuba became the 1st communist nation in the western hemisphere.  He stayed in power until he stepped down in February 2008.

                           Fidel Castro
                 September 29, 1974
                Otto Bettman Photo