20 years ago the Berlin Wall was torn down and Germany's path towards reunification was started. It's amazing what a relatively short time can erase in these then and now pictures.

Photo Gallery: The East-West German Border, Then and Now

Checkpoint Charlie, 1982: The famous border crossing Checkpoint Charlie on Friedrichstrasse in downtown Berlin. The border crossing was meant only for foreigners who wished to travel from East to West Berlin or vice versa.

Checkpoint Charlie, 2007: The former border crossing is now a popular tourist destination: Complete with vendors selling East German paraphernalia and renting out East German "Trabant" cars.

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