Honeymoon in History
Tear Down This Wall!
My dad remembers the day the Berlin Wall fell
by David Nelson
1. Why was there a wall in Berlin?
A: After World War II, Germany was split into two parts: communist East and democratic West. The East built a big wall to stop their people from escaping to the West, because many wanted the freedom and opportunities there.
2. Why were you there when the wall fell?
A: Your mom and I had just gotten married and found cheap flights to Germany for our honeymoon. We planned to go to Paris, but we also visited Berlin. We just happened to be there on November 9, 1989, the day the wall fell, meaning East Germans were suddenly allowed to cross into the West.
3. Why did the Berlin Wall fall at that time?
A: The Soviet Union’s new leader, Mikhail Gorbachev, was allowing more openness, called “Glasnost.” People in East Germany wanted more freedom, and the government was under pressure to allow travel. An official accidentally announced that people could cross the border “immediately.”
4. What was it like when it happened?
A: At first, no one could believe it. Then huge crowds rushed to the Berlin Wall and the Brandenburg Gate. It felt like the whole city turned into a giant, unplanned festival — cars honking, church bells ringing, people cheering and even chipping away at the wall with tools. Everyone was celebrating and full of excitement.
5. What did you and Mom do when the wall fell?
A: Once we figured out what was going on, we rushed to where the action was, the Brandenburg Gate. It was very moving to everyone so happy. For a generation, the city had been divided, families separated, and people trapped. We jumped right in as if we were Berliners — hugging, patting backs, shaking hands, hammering at the wall, and even taking pictures with East German guards!
6. What was your initial reaction?
A: Total shock! Just the night before, your mom and I saw East German guards with rifles and dogs. I even told her the wall might stay up another 100 years. Then suddenly, the next day, it was opening. It felt unreal — like if your principal suddenly said summer break starts today.
7. Was it scary or fun?
A: At first it was scary and confusing. We didn’t speak the language, and the yelling and cheering in German sounded angry to our ears. Plus, we heard rumors like, “They may start shooting!” But once we realized what was really happening, the fear turned into joy. People were crying, hugging strangers, and celebrating freedom. Even though we were just visiting, we got swept up in the moment. We’d just been married a few days before in a Chicago suburb, and now we were front-row witnesses to history in Europe. The best word for it is surreal.
8. What happened to Germany after the Wall fell?
A: The night the Wall came down, I predicted that East and West Germany would stay separate countries for the foreseeable future. I didn’t realize how determined West Germany was to reunite the country. Their leader, Chancellor Helmut Kohl, worked hard for reunification, and in less than a year it became reality. On October 3, 1990, East and West Germany officially became one nation again.