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This Happened

This Happened — August 13: Construction Of Berlin Wall Begins

The construction of the Berlin Wall began on this day in 1961. It was constructed by the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) to prevent residents from escaping to West Berlin. It was intended in particular to halt the mass exodus of skilled laborers, professionals, and intellectuals from East to West, which was causing economic and political problems for the East German government.

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How was the Berlin Wall constructed?

The Berlin Wall was initially a barbed wire fence that was quickly replaced with a more substantial structure. It consisted of concrete walls, guard towers, anti-vehicle trenches, and a "death strip" made out of sand, gravel, tripwires, and other obstacles. Over time, the wall was reinforced and expanded, becoming more fortified and difficult to breach.

What were the consequences of the construction of the Berlin Wall?

The construction of the Berlin Wall had profound consequences on the city of Berlin and the German people. It physically separated families, friends, and communities, and symbolized the ideological divide between East and West during the Cold War. It led to increased tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union and solidified the division between East and West Germany.

How long did the Berlin Wall stand?

The Berlin Wall stood for nearly 28 years, from 1961 until its fall in 1989. It became a powerful symbol of the division between East and West and a focal point of international politics during the Cold War.

What led to the fall of the Berlin Wall?

The fall of the Berlin Wall was the result of a combination of factors, including widespread public discontent, mass protests, and political changes in East Germany and other Eastern Bloc countries. The opening of the wall on November 9, 1989, marked a significant moment in history and paved the way for the reunification of Germany in 1990.

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Green

Stinkin’ Sunset? A Mexican Coastal Paradise Has A Major Sanitation Problem

As a paramunicipal organization takes over water services from local councils, residents face high costs, shortages, contamination — and a foul odor that’s sullying the area’s reputation as a coastal paradise.

Stinkin’ Sunset? A Mexican Coastal Paradise Has A Major Sanitation Problem

The San Francisco estuary at the beginning of the rainy season in San Francisco, Nayarit.

Maya Piedra

SAN FRANCISCO, MEXICO — Tourists from many corners of the world gather here to watch one of the region’s most beautiful sunsets. In this town in the municipality of Bahía de Banderas, in the state of Nayarit, they take photographs and applaud as the very last trace of the sun disappears.

But when darkness envelops the beach and the visitors gradually depart, the festive atmosphere gives way to fetid odors that roll in from the south, where the motors of the treatment plant start. The wastewater discharge flows into the town’s estuary, which, during the rainy season, fills with enough water to connect with the sea.

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