Final answer:
The Berlin Wall, a symbol of Cold War divisions, was built in 1961 and began to be dismantled in 1989 following peaceful protests.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Berlin Wall was constructed in 1961 as a militarized barrier to prevent the migration of East Germans to the West. It was erected under the direction of Soviet authorities and stood as a prominent Cold War symbol. The wall divided the city of Berlin into East Berlin and West Berlin, severing connections between the two sides. It was only in November 1989 that this physical and ideological barrier began to be torn down, as peaceful protesters demanded the freedom to traverse and eventually led to the collapse of Communist governments in Central and Eastern Europe.