After World War II, Germany was divided into four military sectors, each controlled by France, the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union. In 1949, the Federal Republic of Germany was formed, and on October 7 of the same year, the German Democratic Republic (also known as the DDR — ‘Deutsche Demokratische Republik’) was formed.
The political tensions in post-war Europe did not allow much interaction between the people of the two countries. The DDR exercised strong resistance against the repression of its political opponents. Thousands of people were kept under surveillance by the German police.
On September 4, 1989, a peaceful protest was carried out by the people of Leipzig against the DDR government. More such demonstrations in other DDR cities took place, calling for political reforms and the opening of the borders. On November 9 of that year, the checkpoints between the two German countries were opened, and people could travel freely once more. This date marked the ‘fall’ of the Berlin Wall.
Democratic elections further paved the way for the people to come together in the DDR. Finally, in August 1990, the leaders of both countries signed the Treaty of Unification, and Germany’s unification was made official on October 3, 1990. The Berlin Wall and the Brandenburg Gate are two significant symbols of Germany’s division and its subsequent unification in 1990. Images of both are put on display on German Unity Day throughout Germany. The day is celebrated as a three-day festival around the Brandenburg Gate and at the Reichstag around Platz der Republik.
Under The Harvest Moon 