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When the East German government declared free travel for all East Germans on November 9, 1989, hundreds of people began flocking to the wall to cross. Soon after, armed with hammer and chisel, they began taking the hated barrier down. Nicknamed "Wallpeckers", these people were from both East and Western Germany. Here, a Russian soldier leaning over the wall from the eastern side, keeps a watchful eye on the Wallpeckers...
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The picture on the right was taken in December 1989, just under the Brandenburg Gate. East German guards were still patrolling the western side of the wall, where hundreds of the so-called "wallpeckers" chiseled away at the concrete. In a last attempt at retaining control, these grim-faced guards would chase people away - but only seconds after their passing, the happy sound of hammers continued all along the wall. The reign of terror clearly was over...
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