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Article: Leader thanked for role 20 years ago: ; Germans celebrate Gorbachev on the anniversary of the Berlin Wall's collapse
- Article from:
- Charleston Daily Mail
- Article date:
- November 10, 2009
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2009 Charleston Daily Mail. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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BERLIN - Chancellor Angela Merkel and former Soviet leader
Mikhail Gorbachev crossed a former fortified border on Monday to
cheers of "Gorby! Gorby!" as a throng of grateful Germans recalled
the night 20 years ago that the Berlin Wall gave way to their desire
for freedom and unity.
Within hours of a confused announcement on Nov. 9, 1989 that East
Germany was lifting travel restrictions, hundreds of people streamed
into the enclave that was West Berlin, marking a pivotal moment in
the collapse of communism in Europe.
Merkel, who grew up in East Germany and was one of thousands to
cross that night, recalled that "before the joy of freedom came,
many people suffered."
She lauded Gorbachev, ...