November 9, 1989 was "luckiest day" of German history, says Merkel

Nov 7, 2009, 9:48 GMT

Berlin - German Chancellor Angela Merkel gave a personal account of the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989, which she called the 'luckiest day of recent German history,' in a video broadcast released Saturday.

The chancellor, who grew up in former East Germany, said the news came at the end of a regular Thursday.

'As I came home from work, from the Science Academy, I heard (East German Politburo member Guenter) Schabowski announce that the borders would open soon. It was not quite clear to me what this meant, but I immediately called my mother and told her this possible news,' Merkel said.

Merkel said she then went for her regular Thursday trip to the sauna, before stepping out as thousands of people were crossing the first open checkpoint to West Berlin.

'I joined this stream of people and was happy with many others about this incredible day.'

On Monday - the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall - Merkel is to retrace her steps across the former Bornholmer Bridge checkpoint, accompanied by civil rights activists and church representatives who helped topple the communist East German regime.

'I am happy that we are allowing this event to run past us again, and maybe young people in particular should experience once more the happy hours that took place in Germany 20 years ago,' Merkel said in her weekly video podcast.

Later in the day, Merkel will speak at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate alongside leaders of the four Allied powers who helped enable German reunification.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy, British Premier Gordon Brown, Russian President Dmitri Medvedev and US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will all speak at the monument which stood at the centre of divided Berlin.

Former Russian President Mikhail Gorbachev and former Polish opposition leader and President Lech Walesa will also be present, as symbolic 2.5-metre-high domino stones will be toppled along the length of the former Berlin Wall.

'I think it will be a very emotional event,' Merkel said.