On August 13th, 1961, The East German government closed the border between East and West sectors of Berlin with barbed wire to discourage emigration to the West. The barbed wire was replaced by the 12 foot-high concrete Berlin Wall, which eventually extended 103 miles (166 km) around the perimeter of West Berlin. The wall included electrified fences, fortifications, and guard posts. It became a notorious symbol of the Cold War. Presidents Kennedy and Reagan made notable appearances at the wall accompanied by speeches denouncing Communism. The wall was finally opened by an East German governmental decree in November 1989 and torn down by the end of 1990. #ThisDayInHistory
