Checkpoint Charlie, one of the ultimate symbols of the Cold War, epitomized the separation between east and west for nearly thirty years.

Checkpoint Charlie and the Berlin Wall was erected in 1961 by the East German government. This checkpoint represented not only a divided Germany but a world in political turmoil. After the wall was built, President John F Kennedy ordered the U.S. forces to build three checkpoints at different points in the wall – through which diplomatic corps and allied forces could enter West Berlin. Checkpoint Charlie became the most famous having gotten its name from the American alphabet.  The others were Alpha and Brava.

By 1962 this checkpoint was the only place at which foreigners visiting Berlin could cross from West to East and back again.   Located in the heart of Berlin, the checkpoint was the subject of many movies and appeared frequently in spy novels written during the Cold War era.

Checkpoint Charlie was removed in June 1990 when German reunification was almost complete.

Today a line of bricks traces the path where the Berlin Wall once stood and visitors will find a replica of the Checkpoint Charlie booth and sign at the original site.

The original booth is in the Allied Museum in Zehlendorf.