Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
After the Western Allies introduce the Deutschmark currency, the Soviets blockade
West Berlin; in response the US and Britain launch the Berlin Airlift, ferrying necessit-
ies to the isolated city.
1949
Two countries are born - the Bundesrepublik Deutschland (West Germany) and the
Deutsche Demokratische Republik (East Germany); Berlin remains under Allied su-
pervision.
1950
GDR leaders raze the remains of the Prussian city palace for ideological reasons, des-
pite worldwide protest.
1950s
Hundreds of thousands of East Germans move to West Berlin and western Germany,
depleting the GDR's brain and brawn power.
1951
Berlin enters the celluloid spotlight with the inaugural Berlin International Film Festival
(Berlinale).
1953
The uprising of construction workers on the Stalinallee (today's Karl-Marx-Allee)
spreads across the GDR before being crushed by Soviet tanks, leaving several hun-
dred dead and many more injured.
1957
The first Trabant car rolls off the assembly line in East Germany. Production continues
until 1990.
1961
Tragedy strikes just 11 days after the first stone of the Berlin Wall is laid. On 24 August,
24-year-old Günter Litfin is gunned down by border guards while attempting to swim
across Humboldt Harbour.
1963
