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“YOU ARE LEAVING THE AMERICAN SECTOR”…
was the sign (in English, Russian, French and German) that marked the main entry and departure point at the division of East and West Berlin during the Cold War.
From 1947 until 1991, Checkpoint Charlie was one of the best known border crossings. It allowed diplomats, journalists and non-Germans to enter East Berlin on a one-day pass, but it is also known for another event in October of 1961. It was here that U.S. and Soviet tanks faced off angrily…an incident that the world feared would lead to World War III.
Checkpoint Charlie and the Berlin Wall signified the division between East and West…capitalism and communism…opportunity and repression…until the wall was torn down on November 9, 1989. It is hard to fathom how much has changed in Berlin and that it was only 28 years ago that Berlin was still a divided city.
Today, Checkpoint Charlie, it is one of the sights that every visitor should see due to its historical significance. Although the wooden barrack where the visitors to East Berlin were required to pass through for vetting was removed, a US Army guardhouse and a copy of the original border sign stands in its place. The original white booth that originally stood here, now resides in the Allierten Museum in Berlin-Dahlem. The location of the wall can be spied in the roadway where cobblestones now mark the site and photographs of an American and a Soviet soldier stand tall.
Two gentlemen in military uniforms stand facing Zimmerstrasse and give tourists an idea of what entering Checkpoint Charlie would have been like. Don’t expect them to pose for photos, however, one of them holds a flag and conveniently waves it in front of his face when he spies a camera pointed his way. They will pose with you for a fee of 3€ and the other soldier will stamp your passport with commemorative stamps, for 2€.
While in Berlin, take a few moments to stop by Checkpoint Charlie and try to imagine how many stood here, trying to figure out a way to the other side. You can also visit the Checkpoint Charlie Museum where you will learn about the Berlin Wall and the many daring escape attempts by East Germans. An unbelieveable experience!
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Checkpoint Charlie
- http://www.berlin.de/en/