This day in history: August 13, construction starts on Berlin Wall

On this day in history, August 13, 1961, the Soviet occupied sector of Berlin ordered the erection of a wall in order to isolate themselves from western influences. Arguably one of the most devastating and symbolic gestures of the post-war era, the wall was designed to keep capitalism out and the highly skilled labor in. In the first part of 1961 alone, approximately 160,000 East Berliners moved to the Western side of the city.