The construction of which landmark began in 1961?

In August 1961, East Germany began building a barbed wire and concrete wall to divide East and West Berlin. When World War II ended in 1945, the allies split Germany into four zones. East Germany was given to the Soviet Union, while the West was split between the United States, Great Britain, and France. The capital, Berlin, was located in the Soviet part of the country, but was also split into four sectors in the same way. The Soviets constructed the wall to prevent Eastern Berliners escaping to the west of the city.

The Berlin Wall became a symbol of division and suppression of human rights during the Cold War between the Soviets and the USA. It also symbolised the metaphorical Iron Curtain that separated Western and Eastern Europe.

Life for East Berliners was difficult under the Soviet Regime and many wished to escape to the west, often paying with their life as a result. After years of pressure from world leaders, the Soviets were persuaded to reconnect West and East Berlin. Many people celebrated the decision by hacking through the concrete wall with mallets. By November 1989, East and West Germany were reunited.