Young Woman's Berlin Wall Diary Revealed

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Video: Remembered: The Day The Wall Fell

Anke Domscheit Berg saw a world of opportunity open when the Berlin Wall fell. In these extracts from her diary 25 years ago, when she was 21, she describes the emotional celebrations that took place across the city.

9 November, 1989

Hours ago, the news came in - the border of the German Democratic Republic has been opened.

Unbelievable. Every hour, 3,500 people are leaving the country. The Democratic Awakening (a political group formed in October 1989) stood in front of the crossing point and tried to persuade people to stay. To so many people, everything is falling apart. There are resignations all the time; everything has been turned upside down.

To America in the summer? Can I pay for the ticket? Visiting France? The Mediterranean Sea, Holland, Tunisia, Luanda? How can I have a holiday, where can I find the money? I am longing for everywhere, only to return.

Anke.

13 November, 1989

My friend walks into the bathroom and beams. He asks: "What do you think about our victory?"

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Gallery: 25 Years Since The Berlin Wall Fell

West Berlin policemen and East German Volkspolizei face each other across the border in Berlin, circa 1955

1961: Soldiers build the Berlin Wall, as instructed by the East German authorities, in order to strengthen the existing barriers dividing East and West Berlin

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Border guards on opposite sides of the wall, viewed from the western side

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Families and friends, once neighbours, wave across to each other over the wall

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I knew nothing. He is talking about wall depletion.

I run to the radio and hear it for myself, everyone can cross over as they like.

Unbelievable. I go with Gundi straight to the police and we had the visa within an hour.

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Set off early on Saturday by car to the new crossing at Bernauerstrasse-Brunnenstrasse. Dad pushed his way through. We were standing for an hour, the queue was endless, it was moving forwards all the time. We only needed to raise up our ID. All around were broken walls, construction workers and border patrols. I beamed at one of them - even they are happy now, despite the stress.

Youths from West Berlin were sitting on the wall, clapping and waving. I had tears in my eyes. Everywhere West Berliners, laughing and waving, surrounded by innumerable camera crews. One woman handed out sweets, others red and white roses.

We arrived at midday. It was a frenzy, there were so many people. Even the buses are nicer.

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That evening, we ate at an Italian place. The food was heavenly. I thought I was going to burst, and I felt bad about the leftovers. Everyone had a bit of everything, and the pasta was the best. The waiters rushed and beamed. At one time we were moved to another table, it was so busy. Everything was unforgettable. Tonight, we want to celebrate.

Anke.

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