The Brandenburger Tor (Brandenburg Gate) in Berlin, GermanyToday is World Freedom Day, commemorating the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989. After the fall of the wall, borders opened, and free elections took place in eastern Europe.

The Cold War seems so distant to me now, even though it is recent history. Who could forget President Ronald Reagan’s famous “Tear Down This Wall” speech at the Brandenburg Gate in 1987?

The wall has been down for over 20 years and in that time eastern Europeans have gained many freedoms. So today let’s celebrate freedom and personal liberty. While I’m at it I’m going to be grateful that I was born in a country that has offered me freedom and opportunity.