Contemporary Witnesses, Politics, East

Military parade to mark the 5th anniversary of the Wall

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The SED party leaders hold a grand military parade to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the closing of the border. The Western allies view the military parade as a violation of the Four Power agreements.

However, head of state and Party leader Walter Ulbricht claims to have secured peace by building the Wall in 1961. West Berlin's mayor, Willy Brandt, declares that the Wall will come down, but only as part of more widespread changes.

Manfred Lauchardt witnessed events first-hand back then. He recalls how many of the East Berliners who lined the streets did so more out of duty than conviction.

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  • Berlin-Ost, Unter den Linden
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    5
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    52.5168707
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    13.3885118
  • Berlin, Brandenburger Tor
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    1
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    52.5162209
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    13.3778286