Merkel and Gorbachev mark fall of the wall

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev today crossed a former fortified border to cheers as Germans recalled the night 20 years ago that the Berlin Wall gave way to their desire for freedom and unity.

Within moments of a confused announcement on November 9, 1989 that East Germany was lifting travel restrictions, hundreds of people streamed into the enclave that was West Berlin, marking a pivotal moment in the collapse of communism in Europe.