1962-1963

 

 

The Berlin Wall

Construction of the Berlin Wall began on June 15, 1961. East Germany closed its border with West Berlin on August 13, the day considered to be the official inauguration of the “Anti-Fascist Protection Rampart,” which the West simply called the “Berlin Wall.” The space between the massive concrete slabs was packed with trenches, watchtowers, floodlights, patrol dogs and trip-wire guns, and became known as the ‘death strip’.

During the years of the Wall, around 5,000 people successfully defected to West Berlin. The number of people who died trying to cross the Wall has been disputed. Although official figures list 98 people killed, other sources vary from 140 to well over 200.

 

 

 

First Day of School

It was an annual ritual on the first day of school to commemorate it with a group picture. The Ranallo kids are dressed in their Catholic school uniforms. The younger kids were required to pin ID info to their clothes like wartime refugees.

 

 

 

 

 

Hawaii 1962

From our Hawaii trip in 1962: My dad always insisted on renting a convertible for an optimum sightseeing experience. My mom composed this photo shoot, knowing that I would do anything for a laugh. Hanging from my left hand is a small telescope for enhanced viewing.