Central Business District in Cincinnati in Hamilton County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Berlin Wall

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, April 25, 2016

1. The Berlin Wall Marker

Inscription. The Berlin Wall

On August 13, 1961, the totalitarian government of East Germany split Berlin with a wall of concrete. Free expression of thought disappeared, From 1961 to 1989 some 130 people were killed attempting to escape through this brutal barrier to freedom. Many others were injured.

In the autumn of 1989, hundreds of thousands of East Germans began peaceful marches against the oppressive regime. These courageous acts of resistance were inspired by the civil rights movement in the United States. Their chant was "Wir sind das Volk," we are the people, implicitly a reference, to the United States Constitution. Ultimately, the Berlin Wall could not withstand the desire for freedom and on November 9th, 1989 the wall fell.

This section of the wall, a gift of the City of Berlin, honors those who have died seeking freedom without walls.

East Germany History

After Soviet occupation of Eastern Europe at the end of World War II, and under increasing control of the Soviet dictator the citizens of Eastern Germany faced a national government that limited emigration, movement, and other individual freedoms.

By 1956, almost all travel to the West had been restricted. And in 1961, the East West German border was sealed except for the access routes into West Berlin through East German territory. The fortified border separated the two Germanys just as the Berlin Wall cut off west Berlin from East Berlin until November 1989

Erected 2010.

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Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Political Subdivisions • War, Cold. In addition, it is included in the Berlin Wall series list. A significant historical date for this entry is August 13, 1961.

Location. 39° 5.834′ N, 84° 30.695′ W. Marker is in Cincinnati, Ohio, in Hamilton County. It is in the Central Business District. It is at the intersection of East Freedom Way and Vine Street, on the right when traveling west on East Freedom Way. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 50 E Freedom Way, Cincinnati OH 45202, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest

and in the Ohio River Valley.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Harriet Tubman - The Beacon Of Hope (within shouting distance of this marker); The Burnet House (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); World’s Largest Chime Foot Piano (about 700 feet away); John A. Roebling Bridge (about 800 feet away); Marian A. Spencer (about 800 feet away); Emery and Kroger Historic Foundation Walls

The Berlin Wall Marker - wider view, looking south, with Roebling Bridge and Covington in background image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, April 25, 2016

2. The Berlin Wall Marker - wider view, looking south, with Roebling Bridge and Covington in background

(approx. 0.2 miles away); 1 West Vine Street (approx. 0.2 miles away); Johnny Lee Bench (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cincinnati.

Also see . . . Berlin Wall (Wikipedia). (Submitted on February 26, 2019.)

The Berlin Wall Marker - paver with <i>East Germany History</i> image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, April 27, 2016

3. The Berlin Wall Marker - paver with East Germany History

The paver is set in the ground on the south (Ohio River) side of the marker.

The Berlin Wall Marker - wide view, showing the south face of the Berlin Wall segment image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, April 25, 2016

4. The Berlin Wall Marker - wide view, showing the south face of the Berlin Wall segment

The marker/memorial is located on the south side of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.

The Berlin Wall - dedication plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, April 25, 2016

5. The Berlin Wall - dedication plaque

The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center stands as a beacon in the world, inspiring courage, cooperation, and perseverance in all global citizens. The City of Cincinnati and the Munich Sister City Association in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the relationship between Munich and Cincinnati, worked with the Freedom Center to commemorate the past while committing to a future where freedom is a basic right. Through the installation of Cincinnati's segment of the Berlin Wall, we bear witness to this symbol of the ultimate triumph of the human spirit.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 26, 2019, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 731 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 26, 2019, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.