Berlin Wall comes down, thousands taste freedom " ... Before I built a wall, I'd bling any typical, American ask to know, city with tall buildings, What I was walling in or flashing lights, large departwalling out, ment stores, and all the dazAnd to whom I was like to zle and activity. The gruegive offense. some structure of the wall Something there is that was disguised by colorful doesn't love a wall, · murals and spray-painted That wants it down ... " graffiti displaying messages - Robert Frost, like "Let My People Go!" Mending Wall and "Jesus died to save us ALL." There was such a wall shaped of concrete, protected even more by snarling barbed wire and a human barrier of machine-gunarmed soldiers with orders to shoot to kill, and that wall divided East and West Berlin. The people inside were not convicts or labeled dangerous to our society; they were just people. They had families, homes, and jobs, but they lacked one thing freedom. On the free West side of the wall was a city resemOn the other side, in the east, the wall was gray and blank to match the buildings, the streets, and the life. The stores offered no varieties beyond necessity. The people knew nothing of the way of life on the other side. On November 9, 1989 the barrier was finally broken. The people in East Germany were free to go where they pleased. The gates were opened and through them walked the astonished East Germans into the arms of the anxiously awaiting West Germans. Families separated for over two decades were reunited. Adults, 28 years old, experienced for the first time, life without confinement. The next day, the papers were plastered with headlines such as "The Wall is Gone" and "East Germans Open Floodgates." The cameras showed East German side by side with the soldiers, crying and laughing together as they chipped away at the hated wall. The faces were as memorable as those of family. They had just received what many daily take for granted. Yet they now know just how incredible the liberty is, and that day they felt it for the first time is one no one should forget. There are few things comparable to freedom. To the East Germans, there may be nothing. - Anita Chadwell SWEET FREEDOM. West Berliners applaud as an East Berlin family crosses into their city and into freedom only hours after East Berlin border police opened the gates separating the two countries. A western party ensued outside the gates and lasted several days while those who wished travelled between the two cities. Several people began chipping away at the wall with hammers and chisels while others celebrated on top of the wall. - Photo by the Associated Press. The history of the world can change in two semesters . October 5- PTL preacher Jim Bakker convicted of fraud charges and later sentenced to 45 years in prison. Dali Lama wins Nobel Peace Prize. October 6-8- Harding's third annual Open House weekend attracts over 500 visitors. October 7- Hungarian Communist Party formally disbands, reconstituting itself as the Hungarian Socialist Party. Parliament later rewrites constitution and adopts laws 38 Endless Memories allowing several parties to contest free elections next year. October 13- Stock market plunges 190.58 points, its second biggest drop ever, for days after hitting a record closing high of 2791.4. October 17- An earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale rocks the San Francisco Bay area, killing 67 and causing $7 billion damage. Searcy also rocks when Johnny Cat performs at the Rialto Theatre. October 18- Amid large demonstrations, East German Communist Party chief Erich Honaker is ousted and replaced by Egon Krenz. October 27- Ericca Walker is crowned the 1989 Homecoming queen in chapel. October 28- The Oakland A's sweep the San Francisco Giants to win quake -delayed World Series. November 4- Thailand's worst typhoon in 35 years ravages the Gulf of Thailand and Unocal's oil rig Seacrest capsizes. At least 200 die in storm, 447 missing. An unusually quiet pledge week ends. N ovemher 9- THE WALL COMES DOWN! East Germany lifts travel restrictions and opens gateways through the Berlin Wall. November 10- Bulgarian Communist Party chief Todor Zhivkov is ousted and replaced by moderate. November 14- Czechoslovakia an - nounces it will open borders. November 16- South African government announces it will repeal law allowing segregated public facilities. November 29- Czechoslovak Par - liament deletes leading role of Communist Party from constitution after massive protests force resignations of Communist hardliners.
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