On this day in ...... 1963 (45 years ago today), the Berlin Wall was opened for the 1st time in more than 2 years. Thousands of West Berliners streamed eastward after East German guards opened the Wall (right) (photo credit) at 5 checkpoints, a move aimed at allowing 1-day holiday visits among relatives in the divided city.
... 1989, U.S. troops invaded Panama City, Panama, in what was described as a "military operation ... designed to topple the Government of Gen. Manuel Antonio Noriega" (left), who'd been accused of major drug trafficking. Noriega would be caught within a week at the Vatican embassy where he'd sought sanctuary. As we've posted, he eventually was convicted in federal court, served his federal sentence. He remains in a U.S. prison pending litigation of requests for his extradition.
