The collapse of the Berlin Wall helped herald the wider collapse of Communism across eastern Europe. Nearly 3.6 metres high in places, the wall constituted hundreds of watch towers, miles of anti-vehicle trenches, barbed wire and other obstacles.

1945: World War II ends. Berlin is partitioned into American, British and French sectors in the West, and the Soviet sector in the East.

1949: Two new German states, East and West Germany, are formed

1952: Concerned at the stream of people flowing to the West — an estimated 2.5 million fled between 1949 and 1961— East Germany closes the border between East and West Germany

Aug 13, 1961: Backed by the Soviet Union, East Germany begins erecting “anti-fascist protection barrier” to end a flight of citizens into West. Initially a fence of barbed wire, it was gradually built up into an imposing barrier that encircled three western sectors of the city and was patrolled by border guards ordered to shoot anyone who tried to escape

Aug 24, 1961: First person shot dead trying to escape. At least 136 people died trying to cross over

1962: Work begins on second-generation wall, including a fence about 100 yards inside East German territory to create a closely controlled “death strip” between the barriers

Jun 26, 1963: John F Kennedy visits the divided city, proclaiming solidarity with West Berlin with the famous words: “Ich bin ein Berliner”

1965: Construction begins on third-generation wall, using concrete slabs

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