East Germany, and portions of Berlin, had been under Soviet control after World War II. As West Germany flourished, more people from East wanted to relocate. Eventually in the 1950s, East Germany decided they should make their border more difficult to pass and began building barbed-wire fences along it. By 1961, the Soviets had decided to completely close the border and construction of the Wall in Berlin began, completely enclosing West Berlin. It included a large area along it called "no man's land" for making clear areas to shoot those who attempted to leave.
The wall changed over time and the large concrete sections that most people think of were constructed in the late 1970s. Over time, West Berliners painted the graffiti that is so associated with the Wall. Around 5000 people managed to escape by various means in the years the Wall was present. Possibly as many as 200 were killed attempting to leave. In 1987, Ronald Reagan gave his famous speech from West Berlin asking "Mr, Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" In 1989 other eastern Europe borders began opening and many East Germans were fleeing to other countries. So many people were leaving that finally on November 9 regulations were lifted to allow people to pass through the borders into West Berlin.
In the weeks that followed, portions of the concrete wall were brought down and many were sent to museums around the world. The portion above is at the Ripley's Museum in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. However it is not on any authentic list I can find so I can't be certain it is real.
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