What year did Ronald Reagan say, "Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall."

Question

And what is it's significance to the history of Germany and Berlin?

Answer 1

President Reagan's 1987 visit was his second within five years. It came at a time of heightened East-West tensions, caused in particular by the debate over the stationing of short range American missiles in Europe. Officially organized as part of Berlin's 750th birthday celebration, Administration officials planned carefully over the preceding six months in order to provide the event with a special political focus as a means of counteracting the Soviet peace offensive in Europe. The Brandenburg Gate site was chosen to highlight the President's conviction that Western democracy offered the best hope to open the Berlin Wall. His speech focused on a series of political initiatives to achieve this end. The famous "tear down this wall" phrase was intended as the logical conclusion of the President's proposals. As the speech was being drafted, inclusion of the historic words became a source of considerable controversy within the Reagan administration. Several senior advisors and aides advised against saying anything which might cause further East-West tensions or potential embarrassment to Gorbachev, with whom President Reagan had built a good relationship. American officials in Germany and presidential speechwriters including Peter Robinson thought otherwise. Despite getting little support, Robinson included a phrase about the wall in the text, and met with President Reagan soon afterward. Reagan responded to the speech by saying, "I thought it was a good, solid draft." Then-Chief of Staff Howard Baker objected, saying it sounded "presidentially" and "extreme," and Deputy National Security Advisor (and future Secretary of State) Colin Powell agreed.[1][2][3] Nevertheless, Reagan said he liked the passage, saying, "I think we'll leave it in."[4]

So, on the afternoon of June 12, 1987, Reagan spoke the following:
“ General Secretary 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! ”

Two years later, Gorbachev allowed Berliners to destroy the wall, and the Soviet Union collapsed soon afterward, though tearing down the wall is a symbol of the fall and not a cause. Although there is some disagreement over how much influence, if any, Reagan's words had on the destruction of the wall,[5] the speech is remembered as an important moment in Cold War history.[4]

Another highlight of the speech was Reagan's call to end the arms race with his reference to the Soviets' SS-20 nuclear weapons, and possibility of
“ not merely of limiting the growth of arms, but of eliminating, for the first time, an entire class of nuclear weapons from the face of the earth.

john

Answer 2

1989 - the year they tore the Berlin Wall down. Just Google the Berlin Wall and you'll find out why it was very, very significant.

Edited to add: whoops - Reagan may have said it in 1987, but the wall actually came down in October of 1989. I remember it. Sorry for thinking the quote was the same year!

Answer 3

"Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" (June 12, 1987)

On the night that it came down, the sound of Night Ranger came from the East . . . "You can still rock in America. "

The Germanies became one and the capitol and seat of government returned from Bonn to Berlin.

Answer 4

1987

Answer 5

My father took me to hear Mr Reagan as a boy before he was elected to the presidency we lived over the pond and were back state side for a short time,I'll never forget what he said he was asked ''why is American even in the U N?'' ans ''Look I have no use for the U N but if we pull out the Brits and euros will jump into bed with the USSR hell their half undress as it is'' My father and I really enjoy that as we knew what he just said was true

Answer 6

1987
See: http://www.fightthebias.com/Quotes/ronald_reagan.htm.

For context see:
http://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2007/summer/berlin.html

http://www.federalreserve.gov/BOARDDOCS/SPEECHES/2003/200304092/default.htm

http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/speeches/1987/061287d.htm