This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/8349742.stm

The article has changed 36 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 26 Version 27
Berliners celebrate fall of Wall Berliners celebrate fall of Wall
(10 minutes later)
Celebrations to mark the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall are under way.Celebrations to mark the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall are under way.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel walked across a bridge that was the first crossing opened between East and West on 9 November 1989.German Chancellor Angela Merkel walked across a bridge that was the first crossing opened between East and West on 9 November 1989.
She was joined by ex-Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and former Polish President Lech Walesa.She was joined by ex-Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and former Polish President Lech Walesa.
The wall's fall led to the collapse of Communist power, German reunification and the Cold War's end.The wall's fall led to the collapse of Communist power, German reunification and the Cold War's end.
Communist East Germany erected the 155-km (96-mile) concrete wall in 1961 to encircle West Berlin and prevent citizens from fleeing into the capitalist enclave.Communist East Germany erected the 155-km (96-mile) concrete wall in 1961 to encircle West Berlin and prevent citizens from fleeing into the capitalist enclave.
It's a day of celebration for the whole of Europe Angela Merkel href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/gavinhewitt/2009/11/the_world_remembers_the_fall_o.html">The world remembers Wall's fall: Your memories Russia's mixed feelings It's a day of celebration for the whole of Europe Angela Merkel href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/gavinhewitt/2009/11/the_world_remembers_the_fall_o.html">Hewitt: Exhilaration of freedom Wall's fall: Your memories Russia's mixed feelings
At least 136 people are thought to have been killed at the wall while trying to escape.At least 136 people are thought to have been killed at the wall while trying to escape.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who grew up in East Germany, is leading the celebrations marking its end.German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who grew up in East Germany, is leading the celebrations marking its end.
She retraced her steps on the night the wall fell by crossing what used to be the Bornholmer Strasse checkpoint, the first to open 20 years ago.She retraced her steps on the night the wall fell by crossing what used to be the Bornholmer Strasse checkpoint, the first to open 20 years ago.
Ms Merkel was joined by Mr Gorbachev and Mr Walesa, the former Polish trade union leader and later president, whose movement was the first to challenge Communist rule successfully in Eastern Europe.Ms Merkel was joined by Mr Gorbachev and Mr Walesa, the former Polish trade union leader and later president, whose movement was the first to challenge Communist rule successfully in Eastern Europe.
There was applause and cheers from hundreds of onlookers as Ms Merkel praised Mr Gorbachev for helping to make change possible.There was applause and cheers from hundreds of onlookers as Ms Merkel praised Mr Gorbachev for helping to make change possible.
"It was the result of a long story of oppression and the struggle against oppression," said the German chancellor."It was the result of a long story of oppression and the struggle against oppression," said the German chancellor.
HOW THE WALL FELL 13 August 1961: East Germany erects the Berlin WallAugust-September 1989: Tens of thousands of East Germans seek asylum abroad as communist control over Eastern Europe relaxes7 October: Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev indirectly calls for reform on a visit to East Berlin 18 October 1989: Egon Krenz replaces Erich Honecker as East Germany's leader after anti-government protests4 November: Mass protests by East Germans against the government culminate in a million-strong rally in Berlin9 November: The Wall is breached after the East German government moves to lift restrictions on travel across the border to West Germany The night the Wall fell Free market flawed, says survey Send us your commentsHOW THE WALL FELL 13 August 1961: East Germany erects the Berlin WallAugust-September 1989: Tens of thousands of East Germans seek asylum abroad as communist control over Eastern Europe relaxes7 October: Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev indirectly calls for reform on a visit to East Berlin 18 October 1989: Egon Krenz replaces Erich Honecker as East Germany's leader after anti-government protests4 November: Mass protests by East Germans against the government culminate in a million-strong rally in Berlin9 November: The Wall is breached after the East German government moves to lift restrictions on travel across the border to West Germany The night the Wall fell Free market flawed, says survey Send us your comments
"It's not only a day of celebration for Germans. It's a day of celebration for the whole of Europe," she added."It's not only a day of celebration for Germans. It's a day of celebration for the whole of Europe," she added.
Earlier, Ms Merkel said in a TV interview that German unity was still incomplete, as the East lagged in economic growth.Earlier, Ms Merkel said in a TV interview that German unity was still incomplete, as the East lagged in economic growth.
The main events marking the anniversary in the city will be at the Brandenburg Gate - the symbol of German reunification in 1990.The main events marking the anniversary in the city will be at the Brandenburg Gate - the symbol of German reunification in 1990.
Other world leaders set to join Chancellor Merkel are French President Nicolas Sarkozy, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.Other world leaders set to join Chancellor Merkel are French President Nicolas Sarkozy, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Also attending is former Hungarian Prime Minister Miklos Nemeth, whose decision to open his country's borders first allowed East Germans to flee to the West.Also attending is former Hungarian Prime Minister Miklos Nemeth, whose decision to open his country's borders first allowed East Germans to flee to the West.
Hundreds of giant foam dominoes painted with messages of freedom by young people have been placed along the former route of the wall.Hundreds of giant foam dominoes painted with messages of freedom by young people have been placed along the former route of the wall.
They will be toppled from 1900 GMT to show how the then Communist governments across Eastern Europe fell one after another.They will be toppled from 1900 GMT to show how the then Communist governments across Eastern Europe fell one after another.
The festivities will be capped with fireworks and a concert featuring performances by musicians from across the world.The festivities will be capped with fireworks and a concert featuring performances by musicians from across the world.
Meanwhile, Guenter Schabowski - the former East German official whose casual public comments about the proposed ending of restrictions on travel from East to West Berlin are widely thought to have led to the fall of the Wall - has admitted there had been a breakdown in communication with his party boss, Egon Krenz.Meanwhile, Guenter Schabowski - the former East German official whose casual public comments about the proposed ending of restrictions on travel from East to West Berlin are widely thought to have led to the fall of the Wall - has admitted there had been a breakdown in communication with his party boss, Egon Krenz.
Mr Schabowski blurted out the plans during a televised press conference - and compounded his error by adding the new rules would come into force "immediately".Mr Schabowski blurted out the plans during a televised press conference - and compounded his error by adding the new rules would come into force "immediately".
He told the BBC he did not regret his blunder because it had led to the divided Germany being reunited peacefully.He told the BBC he did not regret his blunder because it had led to the divided Germany being reunited peacefully.
On the eve of the celebrations, Mrs Clinton called for a new push to free those still oppressed.On the eve of the celebrations, Mrs Clinton called for a new push to free those still oppressed.
"Our history did not end the night the wall came down," she said."Our history did not end the night the wall came down," she said.
"To expand freedom to more people, we cannot accept that freedom does not belong to all people.""To expand freedom to more people, we cannot accept that freedom does not belong to all people."