Journaling reads: On August 13, 1961, the border between East and West Berlin was closed, and 27 miles of barbed wire entanglements and fences were installed through the center of the city. In a matter of days, the barbed wire was replaced by a sturdier structure of concrete blocks topped with barbed wire that would divide the city for 28 years. Guard towers were built along the wall, and anyone attempting to cross the wall was shot. The wall not only separated the city, but it stretched over 100 miles around the city cutting West Berlin off from the rest of East Germany completely. East Berliners working in the West were cut off from their jobs and families were split. I remember so vividly November 9. 1989 when it was announced that the border had been opened. I cried as I saw pictures of people chipping away at the wall with hammers and chisels while others danced, hugged, cried, and cheered. Freedom at last! It was a glorious day for all the free world.