... the Berlin Wall fell.

On June 12, 1987, in a speech at the Brandenburg Gate commemorating the 750th anniversary of the founding of the city of Berlin, President Ronald Reagan challenged Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to, "Tear down this wall!"

At the time, the New York Times reported, "the Soviet press agency Tass said that Mr. Reagan, by calling for destruction of the wall, had given an 'openly provocative, war-mongering speech' reminiscent of the cold war."

And, as USA Today reported June 12, 2007, Reagan's visit to Germany was not an unanimously welcomed one:

On the eve of Reagan's visit, 25,000 protesters marched though West Berlin, smashing windows, looting stores and battling with police.

Those sentiments haven't really stood the test of time very well, have they?



Hot Air has a video of President Obama's speech today on the fall of The Wall.