In the years after the division of Germany, millions of East Germans fled to the West, primarily through the open border in Berlin.

This mass emigration, particularly of skilled workers, was a major economic and propaganda embarrassment for the East German communist regime.

To halt this flow of refugees, the East German government, with Soviet approval, began building the Berlin Wall on August 13, 1961.

The initial barrier of barbed wire was quickly replaced by a formidable concrete wall.

The Wall eventually became a complex system of fortifications, including guard towers, anti-vehicle trenches, and a 'death strip' with tripwires and mines.

It physically divided the city of Berlin for 28 years, separating families and friends.

The Berlin Wall became the most potent and enduring physical symbol of the Cold War and the 'Iron Curtain' that divided Europe.

Over 100 people were killed trying to escape over, under, or through the Wall.

U.S. President John F. Kennedy's 'Ich bin ein Berliner' speech and Ronald Reagan's 'Tear down this wall!' speech were famous moments of Cold War defiance delivered in West Berlin.

The Wall fell on November 9, 1989, a pivotal event that signaled the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe.