Good morning my loves☀️
Since you liked my article about the Berlin Wall so much, I have a little article about Checkpoint Charlie for you.
It is the scene of several thriller and spy novels, from James Bond's Octopussy to The Spy, who came out of the cold: Checkpoint Charlie.
At the corner of Friedrichstraße and Zimmerstraße, the former border crossing reminds you of divided Berlin. Turnpike and control barracks, flag and sandbags are modeled on the original venue - and a popular photo opportunity. No wonder that Checkpoint Charlie is also on your list of Berlin's most important sights.
The name Checkpoint Charlie derives from the International Spelling Alphabet (Alpha, Bravo, Charlie). After the border crossing between Helmstedt-Marienborn (Alpha) and Dreilinden-Drewitz (Bravo), Checkpoint Charlie is the third control point in and around Berlin used by the Allies.
Checkpoint Charlie, an Allied former checkpoint, was one of Berlin's best-known border crossings, passing through the Berlin Wall. Only Allied military and embassy staff, foreigners and employees of the Permanent Representation of the Federal Republic of Germany to the DDR and DDR officials were allowed to use this checkpoint. The original turnpikes and watchtowers of the former Allied control point have long been replaced by replicas. Nevertheless, Checkpoint Charlie is one of the city's most famous sights.
From 1961 to 1989, Checkpoint Charlie was the only inner-city transition for Allies, foreigners and employees of the Permanent Representation of the Federal Republic of Germany as well as for DDR officials.
Hardly any other place could feel the atmosphere of the Cold War as it did at Checkpoint Charlie. In October 1961 Soviet and Allied tanks were confronted with live ammunition at this transition. Furthermore, the Checkpoint Charlie was the scene of spectacular, often deadly, escapes. Documented you will find the escape attempts in the Wall Museum at Checkpoint Charlie.
At Checkpoint Charlie, the guards are now only a photo subject in front of the replica guardhouse. On 22 June 1990, Checkpoint Charlie was mined in the presence of the foreign ministers of the four victorious powers of the Second World War and the two German states in a solemn ceremony.
The wall
For more than 28 years, the Berlin Wall was an internal German border fortification system.
From August 13, 1961 to November 9, 1989, a 167.8 km long wall separated Berlin into East and West.
In the DDR the wall was also called "anti-fascist protection wall".
According to the current state of research, 136 to 245 people were killed during the escape attempt.
The initiatives, protests and demonstrations emanating from parts of the DDR population finally ensured the opening of the border on 9 November 1989.
For more information see my detailed article here.
Wish you a nice Sunday🌞.
Ciao Kakao
Your Mortician 💋