Berlin celebrates the fall of the Wall

Chancellor Angela Merkel and other leaders hailed the human courage that toppled the Berlin Wall, saying the historic events of 20 years ago showed the world could tackle new challenges, from poverty to climate change.

Merkel and fellow leaders spoke to tens of thousands gathered at the Brandenburg Gate to celebrate the anniversary of the collapse of the Wall, which ended the Cold War and paved the way for German reunification.

The spirit of celebration was dampened somewhat by a steady downpour, which forced spectators gathered around the illuminated Brandenburg Gate to cover themselves with plastic rain coats and umbrellas.

After the leaders spoke, they watched the symbolic toppling of a chain of giant brightly colored dominoes set up along a 0.9 mile stretch where the Wall once stood and where Berliners from East and West celebrated on Nov. 9, 1989.

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