Berlin

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Berlin is a major center of European history, politics, culture, media, and science.

Hitler and the Nazi Party came to power in 1933 and Nazi rule destroyed Berlin's Jewish community. Hitler had planned to rebuild Berlin on a massive scale, but didn't accomplish his goal because of the war. Large parts of Berlin were destroyed in the 1940's air raids and during the Battle of Berlin. After the war, Berlin received refugees from the Eastern European provinces. Berlin was divided into four sectors (West Berlin into the French, American and British sector, East Berlin belonged to the USSR.) Growing tensions between the East and West sectors culminated in the construction of the Berlin Wall.

Berlin was completely separated. It was possible for Westerners to pass from one sector to the other only through strictly controlled checkpoints. For most Easterners, travel to West Berlin or West Germany was no longer possible. Checkpoint Charlie was designated as the single crossing point for foreigners and members of the Allied forces between East Berlin and West Berlin. It became a symbol of the Cold War, representing the separation of East and West, and for some East Germans, a gateway to freedom.

In 1989, pressure from the East German population brought a transition to the East German economy and the reunification started. The citizens gained free access/passage across the Berlin Wall on November 9th 1989, and the wall was subsequently demolished after that. In 1990 East and West Germany were officially merged together and Berlin became the capital of the reunified Germany in 1999.

Not much of the wall is left intact today. There are small portions of the wall that are preserved by galleries throughout the city of Berlin.

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Photos

Photos from the Checkpoint 2
John F. Kennedy made his famous "Ich bin ein Berliner!" speech at the Rathaus Schöneberg.

Quadriga of Victory
Similar sculptures can also be found atop the Arc du Triomphe in Paris, the Wellington Arch in London, The Arch at Grand Army Plaza in New York and in Minnesota.

Berliner Dom
Built between 1895 and 1905

Modern Art Museum
'ALL ART HAS BEEN CONTEMPORARY'

Hotel Adlon in the Pariser Platz
This is the hotel where Michael Jackson dangled the baby outside the window.

A Mavs fan in Berlin
Wearing a #41, Dirk Nowitzky jersey

Berliner
A typical German beer with berry syrup added to give it a sweet taste...yummmmm

Comments

[Samuel Williams]

Pics.
Beautiful pics. The Mavs fan was a nice touch.

[Amber]

Berliner
In Texas the fruity beer is called hummingbird water. How original are we?