Pronunciation: [ðə bɜːlˈɪn wˈɔːl] (IPA) 
The Berlin Wall, which separated East and West Berlin during the Cold War, is spelled with a voiced "th" sound at the beginning of the first word, followed by a long "e" sound. This is represented in IPA phonetic transcription as /ðə bɜːrlɪn wɔːl/. The "w" in "Wall" is pronounced as a voiced "w" sound, like "we." It is important to remember to spell and pronounce the name of this historic structure correctly.
The Berlin Wall refers to a fortified concrete barrier that divided the city of Berlin in Germany from 1961 until 1989. It was primarily constructed by the German Democratic Republic (GDR or East Germany) to separate East Berlin (controlled by the Soviets) from West Berlin (controlled by the Americans, British, and French). This physical barrier stood as a symbol of the Cold War and the ideological division between the communist and capitalist blocs.
The Berlin Wall stretched over 155 kilometers (96 miles) and included various obstacles such as tall concrete walls, barbed wire, watchtowers, electric fences, and numerous checkpoints with armed guards. Its primary purpose was to prevent East Berliners from defecting to the more prosperous West Berlin, which had attracted a significant number of skilled workers and intellectuals from the East.
The wall acted as a grim reminder of the limitations on personal freedom and human rights imposed by the Eastern Bloc. Its construction heavily disrupted families and communities, as many East Berliners found themselves abruptly separated from loved ones and unable to move freely across the city.
On November 9, 1989, following a series of political changes and the peaceful protests of thousands of East Germans, the Berlin Wall was eventually brought down. The fall of the wall represented a significant turning point in the history of Germany and Europe, marking the end of the Cold War and leading to the reunification of East and West Germany in 1990. Today, the remnants of the Berlin Wall serve as a powerful symbol of the triumph of freedom over captivity and division.
