Commemoration and Legacy
The Berlin Wall began to fall in November 1989, but it was not until a year later on 3rd October that Germany was reunited. This day, The Day of German Unity, is now a public holiday in Germany. While unification was a huge achievement, it also brought many new challenges. The former East German economy was struggling and unemployment was high. Many people in the East also had to come to terms with the fact that their neighbours, friends and family had been working as informants for the secret police - the Stasi. As this information became public it caused an increase in tensions.
© Chrissie Sternschnuppe. Berlin Wall Memorial.
A double row of cobblestones were placed to mark the location of the former wall. While many people wanted no trace of the barrier to be left behind, others recognised the need for a culture of remembrance (Erinnerungskultur in German). As a result, sections of the Wall can still be found throughout Berlin. Segments have also been sent around the world, to more than fifty countries. Many pieces have been given as commemorative gifts, including one received by Usain Bolt after he set a new world record for the 100m sprint at the 2009 World Championship in Berlin.
© Orderinchaos. Cobblestone rows indicating the position of the Berlin Wall along Bernauer Straße in Berlin-Mitte, at the intersection of Strelitzer Straße.
There are many sites of commemoration for those people whose lives were impacted or cut short. One of the largest and most striking is the Berlin Wall Memorial. This can be found in the centre of the city on Bernauer Strasse. The memorial includes a complete section of wall, with a watchtower and viewing platform, to give visitors an accurate impression of how the wall functioned.