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The Berlin Wall fell twenty years ago today; and Alcoa High School students -- who weren't even alive -- have recently taken interest in its significance.

"This is ancient history to my students. It happened 20 years ago. Most of my students are 15, 16 and 17 years old. It's very important for them to understand it, and they're responding positively to the material," said teacher Ken Brown, who teaches German and social studies.

Brown's students are working on classroom activities related to the fall of the Berlin Wall. German students had to create a poster that featured graffiti art similar to designs painted on the Berlin Wall. Brown's lesson plans also included three educational videos and slide shows composed of photos he took between 1987-90.

Brown worked in 1987-88 as a foreign language teacher's assistant in Germany.

Students painted the best graffiti designs Sunday afternoon on the Springbrook Bridge. They are also meeting at 7 p.m. today in Alcoa High School's auditorium for a study of the Berlin Wall and the reunification of Germany in 1990. Students will carry lighted candles to the Springbrook Bridge following the meeting in remembrance of the Cold War's peaceful end.

Brown's students are recreating the most famous demonstrations, arguably, in East German history. East Germans participated in peaceful political protests for several months leading up to the Berlin Wall's fall on Nov. 9, 1989.

Leipzig citizens carried candles through the streets and met every Monday night asking for more freedom. The protests known as the Monday Demonstrations started on Sept. 4, 1989.

Summer trip

A group of Alcoa High School students have also gained firsthand experience of the Berlin Wall. The school's German Club -- which is also sponsored by Brown -- spent 15 days this summer in Germany. They spent two days in Berlin and had home stays with former East German families.

Students visited the Berlin Wall, Jewish Museum Berlin, Reichstag building, the Checkpoint Charlie Museum, Brandenburg Gate and Pergamon Museum. They also took a 16-mile bike tour through the city.