learnings

Favorite Spot Aboard the ISS !!!

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Cupola observatory module at the ISS is perhaps the favorite spot of every crewmember aboard the International Space Station, and it not only has the largest windows on the ISS but the largest windows ever installed on a spacecraft.

Commander Chris Hadfield, who has spent a total of 166 days in space, used these fantastic windows for the incredible 45,000 images he took in space.

It’s top, circular window, is the largest with a 31-inch diameter. But all of the windows are big enough to identify from the outside which astronauts are in the module.

And crew members take advantage of the fact by photographing each other while peering out, as their crewmates are on a spacewalk.

The size of the windows, although relatively large for space, give us a great perspective of just how small the Cupola module – and the rest of the ISS – really is.

Cupola, which is Italian for “dome,” is 4.9 feet tall and less than 10 feet in diameter. So, you can’t fit more than an astronaut or two inside at one time.

We found this fantastic image of European Space Agency astronaut Alexander Gerst peaking out of Cupola showing just how cramped life on the ISS can be. It’s kind of adorable.

cupola iss gerst

Alexander Gerst

ESA Alexander Gerst inside the Cupola observatory module.

Here’s another shot of just his hand perhaps waving hello to the camera, “Titanic” style:

iss cupola

Alexander Gerst

Alexander Gerst’s hand in the Cupola module.

Gerst recently returned to Earth after spending over five months aboard the ISS.

While in space from May 28 through Nov. 9, Gerst performed over 50 experiments, which included a spacewalk to improve the ISS and installing ESA’s furnace that can suspend and cool molten metal in mid-air.

Gerst compiled an impressive collection of images during his space mission, which you can find here on Flickr.

international space station

Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

NASA astronaut Nicholas Patrick hanging on to Cupola.

SOURCE::::www.businessinsider.in

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Message For the Day…” Person of a Few Words will be Free From Enmity…”

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The hard working farmer has no fear of starvation. The one who chants the Lord’s Name has no fear of worldly worries. The person of a few words will be free from enmity. Through excessive talk, people fall prey to quarrels. Everyone must cultivate moderation in speech. Restraint in speech is conducive to friendly feelings. The one who is careful in behavior, doing all actions after due deliberation, will have no fear of danger. True education consists in knowing how to lead a peaceful life. To embark on or have a successful career, you must aspire for world peace. For you are part of the world and your well-being is intimately tied to that of the world. Give up all narrow feelings and acquire unity and fellowship.

Sathya Sai Baba

” திருச்சி TO ஆஸ்திரேலியா! – பொள்ளாச்சி இளநீருக்கு புதிய வடிவம்” !!!

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  • கடை ஒன்றில் விற்பனைக்குத் தயாராக உள்ள பேக்கிங் இளநீர்.
    கடை ஒன்றில் விற்பனைக்குத் தயாராக உள்ள பேக்கிங் இளநீர்.
  • திருச்சி மன்னார்புரத்தில் உள்ள குடோனில் ஏற்றுமதிக்காக கார்விங் செய்யப்படும் இளநீர். (உள்படம்) மட்டை சீவப்பட்டு பேக்கிங் செய்யத் தயாராக உள்ள இளநீர்.
    திருச்சி மன்னார்புரத்தில் உள்ள குடோனில் ஏற்றுமதிக்காக கார்விங் செய்யப்படும் இளநீர். (உள்படம்) மட்டை சீவப்பட்டு பேக்கிங் செய்யத் தயாராக உள்ள இளநீர்.

புதிதாக தொழில் தொடங்குபவர், பாரம்பரியமாக தொழில் செய்பவர் என யாராக இருந்தாலும் இன்றைய கால மாற்றத்துக்கு தகுந்தாற்போல ஏதாவது புதுமையான, அதிலும் எளிய வழியை கையாள வேண்டியது அவசியம் என்கிறார் திருச்சியில் இளநீர் மொத்த வியாபாரம் செய்துவரும் காஜாமுகமது (56).

தன்னுடைய தொழிலில் புகுத்திய புதுமையான முயற்சி குறித்து ‘தி இந்து’விடம் அவர் பகிர்ந்துகொண்டது:

கடந்த 25 ஆண்டுகளாக பொள்ளாச்சியில் இருந்து இளநீர் வாங்கி வியாபாரம் செய்கிறேன். இன்றைய இளம் தலைமுறையினர் குளிர்பானம் குடிப்பதை கவுரவமாக கருதுகிறார்கள். என்னதான் இளநீர் இயற்கை பானம் என்றாலும், மரத்தடியிலும் தள்ளு வண்டியிலும் மட்டுமே விற்கும் நிலை உள்ளது. அனைத்து தரப்பினரையும் கவரும் வகையில் ஷாப்பிங் மால் முதல் சிறிய பெட்டிக்கடை வரை இளநீரை கொண்டுசெல்லவேண்டும் என்பது எனது நீண்டநாள் கனவாக இருந்தது.

அதற்கு வடிவம் கொடுக்கும் முதற்கட்ட முயற்சியாக இளநீர் மட்டையை கார்விங் செய்து நீக்கும் மூன்று இயந்திரங்களை கோவையிலிருந்து வாங்கினேன். மின் மோட்டார் உதவியுடன் இயங்கும் இந்த இயந்திரத்தின் நடுவே முழு இளநீரை வைத்து, சுழலச் செய்து கொண்டே மேல் மட்டையை நீக்கி, தலை மற்றும் அடிப்பகுதியை ரம்பம் போன்று சுழலும் இயந்திரத்தால் நறுக்கிவிடுவோம். பின்னர் சுத்தமாகக் கழுவி, மெல்லிய பாலித்தீன் பேக்கிங் செய்கிறோம். சராசரியாக 2 கிலோ எடையுள்ள இளநீர், இவ்வாறு மட்டை நீக்குவதால் 800 கிராமாக எடை குறைகிறது.

ஆரம்பத்தில் இதை, என்னிடம் இளநீர் வாங்கும் சில்லறை வியாபாரிகளிடம் விற்கக் கொடுத்தேன். முதலில் தயங்கியவர்கள், தற்போது தினமும் பச்சை இளநீருடன், இதையும் வாங்கி விற்கின்றனர். ஒரு பக்கெட்டில் 20 இளநீரை அடுக்கி பேக்கிங் செய்துள்ளேன். குளிர்பானம் விற்கும் எல்லா இடங்களிலும் இதை எளிதாக விற்கலாம். ஏற்கெனவே பாதிக்கும் மேல் மட்டை கார்விங் செய்துள்ளதால், இந்த இளநீரை துளையிட கத்தி அல்லது வீட்டில் இருக்கும் கரண்டி போதுமானது. ஃபிரிட்ஜில் வைத்தால் 20 நாட்கள் வரை கெடாது, இடத்தையும் அடைக்காது” என்றார்.

மேலும் அவர் கூறியபோது, “தாய்லாந்து நாட்டினர் இந்த வகையில் இளநீரை பேக் செய்து உலகம் முழுவதும் ஏற்றுமதி செய்கின்றனர். தற்போது ஆஸ்திரேலியாவில் இருந்து என்னிடம் இந்த வகையில் இளநீர் பேக் செய்து தர ஆர்டர் கொடுத்துள்ளனர். முதற்கட்டமாக இந்தமாதம் ஒரு கன்டெய்னரில் 6 ஆயிரம் இளநீர் ஏற்றுமதி செய்யப்பட உள்ளது. சென்னையில் இருந்து கடல் வழியாக 20 நாட்களில் ஆஸ்திரேலியாவைச் சென்றடையும்” என்றார் அவர்.

சூழலுக்கு ஏற்றவாறு மாற்றி யோசித்து அதற்கு செயல் வடிவம் கொடுத்ததுடன் ஆஸ்திரேலியாவுக்கு நம் ஊர் இளநீரை ஏற்றுமதி செய்யும் காஜாமுகமதுவுக்கு எழுதப் படிக்கத் தெரியாது என்பது ஆச்சரியமாக இருக்கிறது. இவ்வளவு மெனக்கெட்டு உருவாக்கப்படும் இந்த இளநீரை மொத்தவிலைக்கு ரூ.20-க்கு விற்கிறார். சில்லறைக் கடைகளில் இதை ரூ.25-க்கு விற்கிறார்கள்.

SOURCE:::: ஜி.ஞானவேல்முருகன் in  http://tamil.thehindu.com/
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” Who Invented the Elevator …” ?

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The history of the elevator, if you define it as a platform that can move people and objects up and down, is actually a rather long one. Rudimentary elevators are known to have been in use in ancient Rome as far back as 336 B.C., with the first reference of one built by the talented Archimedes.

elevator

These early elevators were open cars rather than enclosed ones, and consisted of a platform with hoists that would enable the car to move vertically. The hoists were typically worked manually, either by people or animals, though sometimes water wheels were used.  Romans continued to use these simple elevators for many years, usually to move water, building materials, or other heavy items from one place to another.

As for the dedicated passenger elevator, this was created in the 18th century, with one of the first used by King Louis XV in 1743. He had an elevator constructed at Versailles that would carry him from his apartments on the first floor to his mistress’ apartments on the second floor. This elevator wasn’t much more technologically advanced than those used in Rome. To make it work, men stationed in a chimney pulled on the ropes. They called it a “flying chair.”

It wasn’t until the 1800s that elevator technology really started to advance. For starters, elevators no longer needed to be worked manually. In 1823, two British architects—Burton and Hormer—built a steam-powered “ascending room” to take tourists up to a platform for a view of London. Several years later, their invention was expanded upon by architects Frost and Stutt who added a belt and counter-weight to the steam power.

Soon enough, hydraulic systems began to be created as well, using water pressure to raise and lower the elevator car. However, this wasn’t practical in some cases—pits had to be dug below the elevator shaft to enable the piston to pull back. The higher the elevator went, the deeper the pit had to be. Thus, this wasn’t a viable option for taller buildings in big cities.

So despite the hydraulic systems being somewhat safer than steam-powered/cabled elevators, the steam powered ones with cables and counterweights, stuck around. They had just one major drawback: the cables could snap, and sometimes did, which sent the elevator plummeting to the bottom of the shaft, killing passengers and damaging building materials or other items being transported. Needless to say, no one was jumping to get on these dangerous elevators and so passenger elevators up to this point were largely a novelty.

The man who solved the elevator safety problem, making skyscrapers possible, was Elisha Otis, who is generally known as the inventor of the modern elevator. In 1852, Otis came up with a design that had a safety “brake.” In the event that the cables broke, a wooden frame at the top of the elevator car would snap out and hit the walls of the shaft, stopping the elevator in its tracks.

Otis himself demonstrated the device, which he called a “safety hoist,” at the New York World’s Fair in 1854, when he went up in a make-shift elevator himself and had the ropes cut. Rather than plummeting to his death as the audience thought might happen, his safety hoist snapped out, catching the elevator within seconds. Needless to say, the crowd was impressed.

Otis went on to found his own elevator company, which installed the first public elevator in a New York building in 1874. The Otis Elevator Company is still known today as the world’s largest elevator manufacturer.

While the cable elevator design has remained, many additional improvements have been made, the most obvious of which is that elevators now run on electricity rather than steam power, a change that came about starting in the 1880s. The electric elevator was patented by Alexander Miles in 1887, though one had been built by the German inventor Werner von Siemens in 1880.

Otis’ safety hoist wasn’t the end of safety innovation, either. These days, it’s virtually impossible for an elevator to plummet and kill passengers. There are now multiple steel cables to hold the elevator’s weight, plus a number of different braking systems to stop an elevator from falling if the cables somehow snap. If, despite all these safety measures, the elevator does fall, there are shock absorbers at the bottom of the shaft, making it unlikely death will occur and reducing the possibility of serious injury.

SOURCE:::www.today i foundout.com

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” Pain in the Neck …” !!!

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Treating Neck Pain At Home
Do you wake up some mornings with a very stiff neck? There could be a variety of reasons for the intense pain, but before we get into the causes and symptoms, it’s important to understand some basic anatomy first.

The neck is located at the uppermost section of the spinal column. It contains seven sets of vertebrae, also known as cervical vertebrae. The neck contains many sensitive nerve endings, making it a powerful erogenous zone,

By the end of this article, you’ll be more familiar with the causes and symptoms of neck pain, and have a better understanding on how to treat the pain at home.


Main Causes of Neck Pain

  • Shooting pain that radiates down your arms.
  • Injuries related to sports.
  • Sitting for long hours slumped over a computer desk.
  • Whiplash from vehicle accidents.
  • Sleeping in the wrong positions.
  • Pillows that don’t fully support the neck.
  • Stress can induce neck pain.
Common Symptoms  Related Diseases and Disorders
Muscle sprain Meningitis
Difficulty swallowing Osteoarthritis
Arm numbness Osteomyelitis
Dizziness Whiplash
Lymph node swelling Herniated disc
Headache Laryngitis
Shoulder pain Neck cancer
Back pain Fibromyalgia
Pinched nerve Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Recommended Treatments You Can Do At Home 
Hot and Cold Therapy –  Heat therapy can be used to alleviate neck pain. There are two main types of heat therapy, which consist of dry heat and moist heat. Heating pads contain dry heat, while steamed towels constitute moist heat. Electric heating pads keep a constant heat level as long as they are fully charged. The therapeutic benefits of heat therapy help reduce joint pain, muscle spasms and arthritis, all common contributors of neck pain.
hot cold
You can begin the heat therapy process by applying a heating pad between 15 to 20 minutes every 2 or 3 hours. Ice packs may be applied to the neck for the same duration as the heating pad. The ice pack drastically reduces inflammation and soothes the affected areas. There are also single-use heat wraps that last up to 8 hours, which can be used as an alternative to heat pads.
Perfect Posture Exercise – Remember when your parents told you to stand up straight? There’s perfectly good reason behind that. Standing in an upright position greatly improves posture and spine health. There is an exercise you can perform at home to help build perfect posture:
Stand with your back against a wall, while keeping your heels just a few inches away. The heels are the only part of the body that does not come in contact with the wall. Walk away from the wall and back to check that your posture is upright. Repeat process throughout the day.
Isometric Neck Exercise – Isometric exercises play a vital role in maintaining a strong and healthy neck. This particular exercise is performed against the resistance of your neck, keeping your head in a static position. Here’s how to perform an isometric exercise:
Begin by sitting in a relaxed position with your hands touching your forehead. Your palms are used to resist the pressure, as you lean in towards your forehead. Place your right hand to the right side of your head, and let the left side resist the pressure being applied. Make sure you switch sides after.
The next step is to press both hands against the back of your neck, and resist your head from going backward. To complete the exercise, you’ll want to press your left hand against the right side of your face as you try to turn your head to look over your right shoulder. Don’t forget to switch sides.
Range-of-Motion Neck Exercise – In order to complete the range-of-motion exercise, you should slowly turn your head to the far right, pause a second, and return it to the center position. Do the same for the other side.
Drop your chin down slowly toward your chest, while holding for a brief static moment, then relax. You head should be back up in the center position now. Gently tilt your head toward your left shoulder, while holding for a moment, and gradually return to the center position.
Pillows Can Make the World of Difference – Last but not least, are pillows. There are certain pillows that are ideal for preventing neck pain. Water-filled pillows are used to alleviate neck pain, and give you a good night’s sleep.
Orthopedic pillows are used to support the curvature of your neck, whereas, water-filled pillows, support the neck by redistributing the weight. The main function of each pillow is to keep your neck in a neutral position when you sleep. Make sure you choose a comfortable and firm mattress as well.

A Few Extra Tips 

  • Get a remedial massage
  • Go for a swim
  • Consider acupuncture treatment
  • Try aromatherapy as an alternative approach

SOURCE::::ba-ba mail site

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Message For the Day…” Wherever You Go . The Divine Feet will Protect You…”

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You may encounter any number of losses and difficulties in life. You may undergo a lot of suffering. But, you should never give up truth, faith and love. Loss, suffering and difficulties are like the waves in the ocean of life. They just come and go. But the water of the ocean is permanent. Hence develop the faith of ‘water’, i.e., Divinity. The power of the divine name is unparalleled. Do not take it lightly. God’s name is the real diamond. Keep it safe and secure. Do not ever be bothered by pain and suffering, losses and difficulties. Your thoughts are like the passing clouds. Once you seek refuge in the lotus feet of the Lord, never give it up. Wherever you go, the divine feet will protect you. If you install the divine name firmly in your heart, your life will become sanctified. That is devotion (bhakti). That is your power (sakthi). That is liberation (mukti). 

Sathya Sai Baba

Amazing Medicinal Value of Pumpkin Seeds !!!

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The Health Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds

After buying a pumpkin, most people would clean out the seeds, dispose of them, and keep the flesh, and that’s a terrible waste. Pumpkin seeds are not only edible; they’re incredibly healthy and make for a delicious snack.

Pumpkin seeds are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, many nutrients, proteins, minerals and vitamins. They can help lower your blood pressure, bolster your immune system and help in preventing cancer.

The seeds are also rich in antioxidants, making them a powerful antiaging addition to your diet. The high levels of iron and magnesium are incredible energy-boosters, making perfect for pre or post-workout snacking. They help prevent the formation of kidney stones and are an excellent source for zinc, potassium and phosphorus.

If that’s not enough, pumpkin seeds are useful at destroying tapeworms and roundworms, as well as boosting fertility levels.
Other benefits of pumpkin seeds

  • Prevents constipation and promotes a healthy digestive system.
  • Prevents premature aging and promotes longevity.
  • Prevents kidney stones and osteoporosis.
  • Reduces the risk of cancer, prostate, and diabetes.
  • Reduces symptoms of asthma, arthritis, anxiety, and depression.
  • Reduces bad cholesterol levels and risk of heart disease and stroke.
  • Lowers blood pressure and cholesterol level.
  • Improves your brain function and memory.
  • Boosts immune system and bone density.
  • Boosts your energy and mood.
Preparing pumpkin seeds:

  1. Clean the seeds – You have to clean the seeds meticulously until there are no signs of pumpkin guts. The best way to do this is to put the seeds & guts into a big bowl of water and break it apart with your hands. The seeds will float to the top.
  2. Let it simmer for 10 minutes in salt water– Put the clean seeds in boiled water with 1tsp of salt and let it simmer for 10 minutes. This makes the seeds easier to digest.
  3. Drain the seeds and dry them out – they don’t have to be completely dry, but it’s recommended.
  4. Spread seeds on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil – Make sure they’re finely coated in oil and add a light sprinkle of salt. Then spread them and try avoiding the seeds from overlapping each other.
  5. Roast seeds at 325F for 10 minutes – Remove from oven and stir. Roast for another 8-10 minutes. During the last 5 minutes of roasting, open a few seeds to make sure that they’re not burning. Make sure they don’t brown.

Tips to remember:

  • When preparing a pumpkin, save the seeds.
  • Add chopped pumpkin seeds to cereal.
  • Make sure the seeds are dry when roasting them.
  • Add pumpkin seeds to smoothies.
  • Refrigerate in an air tight container when not consumed.

SOURCE::::ba-ba mail site

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Message For the Day…” Whatever You Think , Speak or Do, Consider it as the Command of God…”

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While performing your duties in your house or outside, constantly remind yourself, “Whatever I do, think or speak, everything belongs to God.” The proper attitude should be, ‘Sarva karma Bhagavath preethyartham’. Take for example, the process of cooking. You add different ingredients to the dish being cooked in definite proportions and try to make them tasty. But the real taste comes only when the job of cooking is done as an offering to God. The food becomes divine when it is offered to God. On the other hand, if the various items are cooked with the attitude, ‘I am doing this job as a routine; I am cooking these items for my family members to partake’, it does not reach God. Hence undertake every act in your life as an offering to God, chanting His Name. Whatever you think, speak or do, consider it as God’s command, God’s work.

Sathya Sai Baba

Few Surprising Facts about the Fall of Berlin Wall …

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Nov. 9 marks the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, the iconic barrier that completely enclosed East Berlin between 1961 and 1989 and symbolized the height of Cold War tensions.

West Berliners crowd in front of the Berlin Wall early

West Berliners crowd in front of the Berlin Wall Nov. 11, 1989, as they watch East German border guards demolish a section to open a crossing point. (Photo: Gerard Malie, AFP/Getty Images) 

 

Around the world, the international German community and others are marking the milestone with celebrations and shared memories. In Germany, artists have recreated the Wall with illuminated white balloons along the path that the structure once traced. The 8,000 balloons stretch more than nine miles across the city, according to the German embassy in London.

With the anniversary putting the Cold War fresh in most people’s minds, here are nine facts about the Berlin Wall that may be new to you:

• A mistake helped lead to the fall of the Wall. The flood of East Germans and West Germans to the Wall, which led to its ultimate collapse, came after East German Politburo member Guenther Schabowski on Nov. 9, 1989, mistakenly announced that East Germans would be allowed to cross into West Germany effective immediately, according to National Public Radio.

• What the world saw as the Berlin Wall was actually two concrete barriers with a 160-yard “death strip” in between that included watchtowers, trenches, runs for guard dogs, flood lights and trip-wire machine guns, according to History.com.

• Parts of the Wall are on display or in private safekeeping all over the world. One section of the Wall is in a men’s room of the Main Street Casino in Las Vegas, History.com reports. Urinals are mounted on the graffiti-covered segment, which is protected by glass. Another section is in the gardens of the Vatican. If you don’t feel like traveling to Italy or Vegas to see a part of the Wall, you can have your own little slice for as little as $10 on eBay. And you can consider that a steal; an 8,000-pound slab went for $23,500 at an Atlanta auction

• A mass exodus of East Germans into West Germany began almost 15 years before the Berlin Wall was erected in 1961. In fact, so many left that by the time the Wall went up, East Germany lost one-sixth of its population, according to the Berlin Wall Memorial website.

• The Wall and several U.S. presidents shared a relationship. President Kennedy visited in the summer of 1963, not long before his assassination that November. He said in a rousing speech that Berlin could help the world understand the divisions between the Communist and non-Communist world.

In 1987, Reagan challenged Russian leader Mikhail Gorbachev to “Tear down this wall” during a June 1987 speech near the Wall.

When Clinton visited in 1994, he told the crowd of Berliners, “You have proved that no Wall can forever contain the mighty power of freedom.”

During President Obama’s June 2013 visit, he noted neither he nor German Chancellor Angela Merkel looked like their predecessors.

“The fact that we can stand here today, along the fault line where a city was divided, speaks to an eternal truth: No wall can stand against the yearning of justice, the yearnings for freedom, the yearnings for peace that burns in the human heart,” he said.

• The formal reunification of East and West Germany did not happen until Oct. 3, 1990, almost a year after the fall of the Wall, according to History.com.

• A July 1988 concert by Bruce Springsteen in East Berlin may have led to the growing sense of dissent in the walled city that contributed to the fall of the Wall, according to the CBC. “The Boss” told the crowd in German, “I’ve come to play rock ‘n’ roll for you in the hope that one day all the barriers will be torn down.”

Another in the U.S. music industry, conductor Leonard Bernstein, performed a series of concerts in venues on both sides of the barrier just weeks after the November 1989 fall of the Wall. Bernstein’s international orchestra included musicians from the four countries that had occupied Berlin after World War II: the United States, the former Soviet Union, France and England. Bernstein led Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and altered its final movement, “Ode to Joy,” to become “Ode to Freedom.”

• Some parts of the barrier became world famous. Checkpoint Charlie, formally known as Checkpoint C, was the nickname that Western Allies gave the best-known border crossing point between East and West Berlin.

Also, the Brandenburg Gate is an 18th-century arch that is built on the site of a former gate that marked the start of a road that led from Berlin to the town of Brandenburg. Because of its location, it was associated with the Berlin Wall for a time.

• The physical demolition of the Berlin Wall was not complete until 1992, according to the BBC.

SOURCE::::www.usatoday.com

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