# Berlin Wall (1961)

URL: https://germany-history.com/timeline/1961-berlin-wall
Location: Berlin
Categories: main-event

On 13 August 1961 the GDR sealed the border to West Berlin with barbed wire, later a wall. About 2.7 million people had fled since 1949. At least 140 people died at the wall.

## Why it matters
It became the symbol of the Cold War.

Ruler at the time: [Konrad Adenauer](https://germany-history.com/rulers/konrad-adenauer)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia – Berlin Wall](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlin_Wall)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica – Berlin Wall](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Berlin-Wall)