Peapix

  • Bing Gallery
  • Extension
Peapix
Bing Gallery
Extension
  • United States
    All
    Australia Canada China Germany France India Japan Spain United Kingdom United States Italy Brazil

Bing Gallery

Australia Canada China Germany France India Japan Spain United Kingdom United States Italy Brazil
  1. Bing Gallery
  2. United States
  3. 2019
  4. November 09
  5. The Brandenburg Gate seen through a heart-shaped replica of a remnant of the Berlin Wall
arrow_back_ios arrow_forward_ios The Brandenburg Gate seen through a heart-shaped replica of a remnant of the Berlin Wall

November 09, 2019

The Brandenburg Gate seen through a heart-shaped replica of a remnant of the Berlin Wall

© Britta Pedersen/picture alliance via Getty Image

We heart Berlin. We heart Berlin

We're gazing at the Brandenburg Gate—a symbol of peace and unity—through a heart-shaped replica of a remnant of the Berlin Wall, probably the most potent symbol of the political division that once scarred the German capital. Today marks the 30th anniversary of the fall of the concrete barrier that once obstructed this view.

Although it stood for 28 years, the fall of the wall was sparked on November 9, 1989, when an East German official mistakenly announced a new relaxed travel policy during a broadcasted press conference. Within hours, thousands of hopeful East Berliners rushed the wall, overwhelming border guards who reluctantly opened the checkpoints. Soon Berliners from the East and West were on the wall, joyfully dancing together, breaking off pieces with their hands, hammers, and anything else they could use to crumble the cement. Shortly afterward, the wall finally came down and borders were opened.

Conditions that led to the wall began in the years following World War II, when Berlin was divided into Soviet-controlled East Berlin and the American, British, and French sectors known as West Berlin. Although East Berliners weren't allowed to emigrate, many managed to do so nonetheless, and by 1961, millions had left for life in the West, nearly bringing the East German economy to ruin. It was then, on August 13, 1961, that Berliners woke up to a barbed-wire fence cutting off West Berlin from East Germany, including East Berlin. Within days, East Germany fortified the barbed wire with concrete, eventually reinforcing it with an outer and inner wall, watchtowers, and floodlights, while also extending it 28 miles across the city and beyond. For nearly three decades the wall separated families and entire communities. While it finally came down in 1989, it would be another year before Berlin would be reunified as a single city under the new Federal Republic of Germany.

painting outdoor drawing child art graffiti tree sky art colorful decorated

Related Images

Paper flags strung over a street in San Miguel de Allende, MexicoPaper flags strung over a street in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone National Park, WyomingGrand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Desert bighorn sheep in Valley of Fire State Park, NevadaDesert bighorn sheep in Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada
Eucalyptus trees, Megalong Valley, Blue Mountains National Park, NSW, AustraliaEucalyptus trees, Megalong Valley, Blue Mountains National Park, NSW, Australia
Sandstone hoodoos, Bryce Canyon National Park, UtahSandstone hoodoos, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Great Blue Hole, BelizeGreat Blue Hole, Belize
Ribblehead Viaduct and Ingleborough mountain, North Yorkshire, EnglandRibblehead Viaduct and Ingleborough mountain, North Yorkshire, England
Zoroaster Temple, Grand Canyon National Park, ArizonaZoroaster Temple, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Today on Bing

Milky Way, Aït Benhaddou, Morocco

Milky Way, Aït Benhaddou, Morocco

Nov 09, 2024
Birch trees in autumn, Drammen, Norway

Birch trees in autumn, Drammen, Norway

Nov 09, 2023
European hedgehog in Sussex, England

European hedgehog in Sussex, England

Nov 09, 2022
Ancient rock tombs carved into the cliff near Dalyan, Turkey

Ancient rock tombs carved into the cliff near Dalyan, Turkey

Nov 09, 2021
Vineyards near Barolo, Piedmont, Italy

Vineyards near Barolo, Piedmont, Italy

Nov 09, 2020

Related Tags

painting outdoor nature landscape mountain water valley canyon snow drawing colorful sky child art art text fire rock cave stone fog
Share photo
Share
Pin
Tweet
Line
  • © 2025 Peapix.com
  • API
  • App
  • Privacy
The images are provided for wallpaper use only.