1961; destroyed 1989
Image source: AAEL Digital Images
© William Kessler, 1981
51 years ago today began the construction of the Berlin Wall by the German Democratic Republic. The "Antifaschistischer Schutzwall" consisted of 12-foot concrete walls, guard towers, fencing and bunkers, all creating a barrier between East and West Germany in the 96 miles around Berlin. It effectively ended migration between the two countries until the political upheavals of 1989. The AAEL Image Collection includes several images of the Wall taken in 1966 and 1981. Additionally there are numerous DVDs about Berlin at Imageworks available for checkout.
1961; destroyed 1989
© Edward C. Olencki, 1966