Berlin December 5, 1961- 1984

By catchwing

  • Engine driver, Harry Deterling, drives his train through the barriers

    He drove a scheduled passenger train full speed against the barriers that blocked the line at the border station of Albrechtshof and continued on into the safety of Spandau, West Berlin. Of the 32 people on board, 24 (including 7 members of his family), were aware of his plans.
  • Peter Fechter shot trying to escape

    Peter Fechter shot trying to escape

    18 year old brick layer is shot while trying to jump the wall. He is shot in the leg and left to die in "no-man's land". His death causes a public outcry around the world. He is the 50th casualty of the wall.

  • Conscription comes to East Germany

    *only month/year accurate

  • Tunnel '57 is betrayed

    Built by Wolfgang Fuchs, the tunnel took 57 people to freedom and was to be a semi-permanent escape route until it was betrayed.
  • JFK delivers speech at the Wall

    JFK delivers speech at the Wall

    "Ich bin ein Berliner" I am a Berliner.
    His visit represents the self-conscious status of West Berlin as a beacon of freedom. JFK's main priority had been to encourage the city and its people without provoking the Soviets but he didn't stick to the prepared version. He was moved by the experience of seeing the wall.

  • West Berlin citizens allowed to visit East Berlin

    Although only on a limited basis, it is the first time in more than two years. Over 700,000 take advantage of the concession.
  • Negotiations for a freer crossing breakdown

    Negotiations for a freer crossing breakdown

    East German authorities order stricter border controls, with additional wall segments and barbed wire to foil escapes
  • The Treaty of Moscow

    The Treaty of Moscow

  • The Treaty of Warsaw

    The Treaty of Warsaw

  • Erich Honecker is Head of State

    Erich Honecker is Head of State

    He replaces Walter Ulbricht

  • Ulbricht removed from real power at the age of 77

    *only month/year accurate
  • The Four Powers Agreement on Berlin is signed

    The Four Powers Agreement on Berlin is signed

    Also known as the Berlin Agreement or the Quadripartite Agreement. This leads to eased travel restrictions from West Germany to West Berlin (for West Berliners) and to an opening of trade and diplomatic ties between East Germany and West Germany

  • Western Allies hold ceremony for the Berlin Agreement

  • The Basic Treaty is signed

    The Basic Treaty is signed

    Short hand for The treaty concerning the basis of relations between the Federal German Republic and the German Democratic Republic

  • Ulbricht dies at his lakehouse on the Dollnsee

  • The Helsinki Accord is signed

    The Helsinki Accord is signed

    After 2 years of negotiations, it is signed by representatives of 35 nations from East to West, including the GDR and FDR.

  • East German police clash with protestors during a Tear down this Wall rally

    3 teenagers are killed.
  • West Berlin Transit Authority takes over the running of the S-Bahn

    West Berlin Transit Authority takes over the running of the S-Bahn

    It had been under the control of the communist Deutsche Reichsbahn but they had not invested any money in the system. It was in very poor repair.