From the archives | 'The wall is gone': Berlin Wall torn down

This story originally published on Nov. 10, 1989. It is being republished as part of the commemoration of USA TODAY's 40th anniversary on Sept. 15, 2022.

AT THE BERLIN WALL — East Germans – told they were free to travel anywhere – wept, hugged, danced and kissed in both halves of divided Berlin today after East Germany opened its borders for the first time since 1961.

The joyous scene occurred at the world's monument to communism, symbol for 28 years of the Cold War and testament to the 191 East Germans who've perished trying to crawl, climb or even fly over it.

Berliners celebrated into the early hours, climbing atop the concrete barrier and chipping away with hammers. Others danced at Checkpoint Charlie and the Brandenburg Gate.

But also near the Gate, candles flickered in front of simple wooden crosses that stand in memory of the people killed trying to escape.

Strangers embraced strangers as cars packed with East Germans and others paraded through West Berlin.

Highlights of a dizzying day capped a two-month pro-democracy campaign:

- East Germany's new leader, Egon Krenz, promised free elections and new laws on freedom of assembly, association and the press.

- "This is a historic day,'' said West Berlin Mayor Walter Momper. "We will welcome the people with open arms.'' But on TV he asked people to wait before crossing.

"Even with all the understandable joy you must feel ... please do it tomorrow, do it the day after tomorrow. We are having problems dealing with this.''

- Soviet spokesman Gennady Gerasimov praised East Germany's move, but said a reunified German "is out of the question.''

- Ex-President Reagan endorsed reunification: "Instead of wondering what we're going to do with millions of refugees ... say once again, you who are Germans can stay at home.''

- Secretary of State James Bakker said if reunification occurs, he hopes "it is achieved in peace and freedom.'' But events in East Germany will not be the focus of the Bush-Gorbachev summit: "That's not what this meeting is about.''

- President Bush called it a "dynamic development ... clearly a big development in terms of human rights.''

- Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell urged East Germany to "take the final step and tear that Wall down.''

- West German Chancellor Helmut Kohl called for face-to-face talks with East German leader Krenz to discuss East Germany's political crisis.

- Fifteen prominent communists in East Berlin wrote to the Central Committee suggesting the Wall be torn down.

"It is also imaginable ... that the Wall will become a relic of the past.''

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Berlin Wall torn down: East Germans celebrate opened borders