Posted by Priscilla Linn on Nov 06, 2009 - 07:34 PM
The U.S. Diplomacy Center invites you to view the online exhibition Voices of U.S. Diplomacy and the Berlin Wall. This exhibition commemorates the 20 years since the demise of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989.
We invite you to share your memories and reflections here of this important date in history and the events in Germany and former communist states over the past two decades.
If the Wall fell before you were born, we are interested in your thoughts about the Wall as part of 20th century history. What is the value of studying the history of the Wall?
Please also let us know what you think of the online exhibition and the diplomatic oral histories you will read and hear, as this marks the first time they have been used in a museum exhibition.
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Paige writes:
I lived in (West) Berlin from 1983 - 1986. It was a wonderful and scaring experience. I remember traveling to the East for shopping trips and to see the ballet. The difference in the the 2 sides of Berlin was amazing. I haven't been back since returning to the US. However, my husband and I plan to go there for our 10 year wedding anniversary. I can't wait. My father was in Berlin November 1989 and he said it was amazing.
Posted on Wed Dec 16, 2009
I lived in (West) Berlin from 1983 - 1986. It was a wonderful and scaring experience. I remember traveling to the East for shopping trips and to see the ballet. The difference in the the 2 sides of Berlin was amazing. I haven't been back since returning to the US. However, my husband and I plan to go there for our 10 year wedding anniversary. I can't wait. My father was in Berlin November 1989 and he said it was amazing.
Posted on Wed Dec 16, 2009
Joe in Tennessee writes:
In September and October 1969 my sister Betsy and I visited my brother George stationed in Bonn who was then Regional Security Officer, U.S. State Department. We traveled to Berlin by car through the Soviet block by auto with his wife Patrica driving a huge old Mercedes while my brother flew into West Berlin. Diplomats were not allowed nor would they have wanted to go through the checkpoints in what was then an illegal occupation of German soil by the Soviet Union.
We were made to display a Red Star on the driver side of the "green tank", as we called it. My sister-in-law stopped briefly but then as the guard started around the car she slammed the accelorator to the floor and almost ran the machine gun toating East German boarder guard under, all the while cursing him and pointing to the Red Star displayed unwillingly in the corner of the "green tank".
I know that myself, then a hefty 245 lb high school football player from Tennessee almost lost his lunch. My niece and two nephews and sister all comfortably seated in the back seat gasp but once through the checkpoint had one heck of a laugh. I fully expected to see a truck full of East German's chasing us down the autobahn but to my dismay nothing happened.
After meeting up with my brother in West Berlin we stayed about a week. Enjoy such sights as, well I remember the Hoff Brau House and there must have been others. My sister and I were treated to a visit to East Berlin through Check Point Charlie, stopping and sitting for a long time in front of the Brandenburg Gate. The trip had a lasting effect on me and I will always remember the experience.
Posted on Mon Nov 09, 2009
In September and October 1969 my sister Betsy and I visited my brother George stationed in Bonn who was then Regional Security Officer, U.S. State Department. We traveled to Berlin by car through the Soviet block by auto with his wife Patrica driving a huge old Mercedes while my brother flew into West Berlin. Diplomats were not allowed nor would they have wanted to go through the checkpoints in what was then an illegal occupation of German soil by the Soviet Union.
We were made to display a Red Star on the driver side of the "green tank", as we called it. My sister-in-law stopped briefly but then as the guard started around the car she slammed the accelorator to the floor and almost ran the machine gun toating East German boarder guard under, all the while cursing him and pointing to the Red Star displayed unwillingly in the corner of the "green tank".
I know that myself, then a hefty 245 lb high school football player from Tennessee almost lost his lunch. My niece and two nephews and sister all comfortably seated in the back seat gasp but once through the checkpoint had one heck of a laugh. I fully expected to see a truck full of East German's chasing us down the autobahn but to my dismay nothing happened.
After meeting up with my brother in West Berlin we stayed about a week. Enjoy such sights as, well I remember the Hoff Brau House and there must have been others. My sister and I were treated to a visit to East Berlin through Check Point Charlie, stopping and sitting for a long time in front of the Brandenburg Gate. The trip had a lasting effect on me and I will always remember the experience.
Posted on Mon Nov 09, 2009
Justin in Louisiana writes:
I remember my parents being fixed to the TV the day the wall began coming down. Being all of nine yeas old, the significance of the event was lost on me.
The online exhibition is nicely done. I'd just recommend adding some buffer time to the prologue video and the other videos found in the archive under "moving images". The current lack of any buffering causes the videos to play a bit jerky.
Posted on Mon Nov 09, 2009
I remember my parents being fixed to the TV the day the wall began coming down. Being all of nine yeas old, the significance of the event was lost on me.
The online exhibition is nicely done. I'd just recommend adding some buffer time to the prologue video and the other videos found in the archive under "moving images". The current lack of any buffering causes the videos to play a bit jerky.
Posted on Mon Nov 09, 2009
John in Greece writes:
And now, my basic opinion. I may be wrong. Who knows?
They are building a "Wall" once again, most people can't see right now.
Who the builders are?
Same people, the Russians!
Posted on Sat Nov 07, 2009
And now, my basic opinion. I may be wrong. Who knows?
They are building a "Wall" once again, most people can't see right now.
Who the builders are?
Same people, the Russians!
Posted on Sat Nov 07, 2009
John in Greece writes:
Not necessarily IN Joe. In and Out...
Do you remember the scene with Robert?
In and out.
In and out, until the world is FREE.
Without walls!
And we made it!
Posted on Sat Nov 07, 2009
Not necessarily IN Joe. In and Out...
Do you remember the scene with Robert?
In and out.
In and out, until the world is FREE.
Without walls!
And we made it!
Posted on Sat Nov 07, 2009
Joe in Tennessee writes:
Some walls were made to keep things in...
Posted on Sat Nov 07, 2009
Some walls were made to keep things in...
Posted on Sat Nov 07, 2009
Patrick in Maryland writes:
Hi, Again :), Department Netizens .
I think the people who work on this site are doing a very good job of help people around the world express our feelings about world event. :) So i would like to thank them for their work on keeping us update on event. Nice Job :).....People of our States Department..Blog.
As for the subject at hand, Germany is an extremely advanced country, and people so i think they are looking towards a very Bright Future not their past. :)
..See...Ya ..My Friends at the Department of States :).
Posted on Sat Nov 07, 2009
Hi, Again :), Department Netizens .
I think the people who work on this site are doing a very good job of help people around the world express our feelings about world event. :) So i would like to thank them for their work on keeping us update on event. Nice Job :).....People of our States Department..Blog.
As for the subject at hand, Germany is an extremely advanced country, and people so i think they are looking towards a very Bright Future not their past. :)
..See...Ya ..My Friends at the Department of States :).
Posted on Sat Nov 07, 2009
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