25th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall

[GGGG]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2014/11/06/the-fall-of-the-berlin-wall-stunning-before-and-after-pictures-on-the-25th-anniversary/

I was a senior at Marquette when this happened, and really was a symbolic part of what seemed completely unbelievable at the time.  Growing up, everything was framed in a US v. USSR context.  Democracy is great....Communism is evil.  So when you witnessed eastern Europe shed communism over the span of just a few months, it completely changes your view of the world.

It was probably the most significant world event to happen in my lifetime.  (Unfortunately since surpassed by 9/11.)  I think it is hard for people to understand the optimism that was created by the fall of the Berlin Wall.

[Chicago_inferiority_complexes]

If you want to relive some of that optimism, search for videos of news feeds and the like from the time. Really moving.

[GGGG]

If you want to relive some of that optimism, search for videos of news feeds and the like from the time. Really moving.

Or popular music...this hit #1 in the US.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7z6dxQVhE8o

[tower912]

It was an amazing time.   I cannot remember ever feeling that optimistic either before or since. 

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

Or popular music...this hit #1 in the US.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7z6dxQVhE8o

I was already humming this to myself simply reading the thread title. 

"I saw the decade end...................... "

[tower912]

...right here, right now
there is no other place I want to be......

Am I the only one who is incapable of thinking about this song and this band without simultaneously thinking about EMF and 'Unbelievable'?     

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

...right here, right now
there is no other place I want to be......

Am I the only one who is incapable of thinking about this song and this band without simultaneously thinking about EMF and 'Unbelievable'?     

+1!  They were all a part of that Manchester UK alternative band wave in the early 90's.

Back in like 1992 or 93 I saw EMF play at Toad's Place here in New Haven when "'Unbelievable" was at the top of the charts.  It was a packed house and a fun show.

I think I also saw Big Audio Dynamite II in the same place and time frame as EMF.

[Eldon]

In before the lock!

[real chili 83]

In before the lock!

Why do you say that?

[Eldon]

Why do you say that?

Light-hearted humor.  Maybe I should have used teal.  Though I will say that it wouldn't totally shock me if this thread led to a political discussion culminating in a lock.

To deflect a bit, did you know that you can actually buy little pieces of the Berlin Wall?  I have one on a stand of knick-knacks.  I did a walking tour of Berlin some time ago and the tour guide said that any pieces you buy in gift shops are likely to be the real thing.  The only thing fake about the pieces is the paint/graffiti on them.

[Dawson Rental]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2014/11/06/the-fall-of-the-berlin-wall-stunning-before-and-after-pictures-on-the-25th-anniversary/

I was a senior at Marquette when this happened, and really was a symbolic part of what seemed completely unbelievable at the time.  Growing up, everything was framed in a US v. USSR context.  Democracy is great....Communism is evil.  So when you witnessed eastern Europe shed communism over the span of just a few months, it completely changes your view of the world.

It was probably the most significant world event to happen in my lifetime.  (Unfortunately since surpassed by 9/11.)  I think it is hard for people to understand the optimism that was created by the fall of the Berlin Wall.

I agree almost entirely.  I have to say that I don't think it was surpassed by 9/11, except maybe in terms of consequent government spending.

[Sheriff]

When I saw Neil Armstrong step off the LEM onto the lunar surface, I doubted I would ever see anything that would surpass that and I still think that is the case.

[Blue Horseshoe]

The story behind the 8,000 lights that run along 10 miles of the former wall is pretty amazing.



http://www.wired.com/2014/11/8000-glowing-balloons-recreate-berlin-wall/