Twenty-six years ago today, during a visit to the divided city of Berlin, Germany, Soviet leader Mikhail S. Gorbachev was publicly challenged by then US President Ronald Reagan to tear down the Berlin Wall. Speaking to a crowd in West Berlin, Reagan said: “There is one sign the Soviets can make … that would advance dramatically the cause of freedom and peace. … Secretary General Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization: Come here, to this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.” (Full text here. And background on this now famous Cold War speech here.)
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