Today in History: Berlin is divided
On August 13, 1961, soldiers from East Germany started to build the barrier between Soviet-controlled East Berlin and the democratic western section of the city: Shortly after midnight, the soldiers were laying down more than 100 miles of barbed wire and bricks.
Once Germany was defeated in World War II, the land was divided into French, American, Soviet and British zones of occupation.
Although the city of Berlin was technically part of the Soviet zone, it was technically split since the Soviets took the eastern part of the city.
Before long, the barbed wire and bricks that were initially placed turned into a six-foot-high, 96-mile-long wall of concrete blocks, equipped with guard towers, machine gun posts and searchlights: This structure officially came to be known as the Berlin Wall.
See the gallery below for photos of the Berlin Wall:
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