There has been a lot of news lately about various countries trying to break away from communism. But the one event that probably will be highlighted in most history books, and deservingly so, is the opening of the Berlin Wall.

The concrete wall, which is about 14 feet high and 103 miles long, has prevented people from traveling between East and West Germany for 28 years. Its guards, booby traps and razor wires have succeeded in stopping people from sneaking across the border. In fact, almost 200 people have died in attempting to escape.

The opening of the wall might have resulted from East German economic constraints, political pressures or any number of things. Unfortunately, we cannot say it has been opened solely to restore human freedom.

What we can say is no matter what the political reasoning behind the opening of the wall, people are enjoying the freedom to be able to see friends, relatives and even to shop for things they had so much trouble obtaining before.

As much as the wall was a symbol of the division between “good” democracy and “bad” communism, its destruction symbolizes change and the end of needless killing that came with its construction in 1961.

To celebrate the joy of this new symbol, the East Berliners waisted no time in getting across the barrier, even if only to share a drink with a friend in a western tavern.