Germany commemorates 25 years since the fall of Berlin Wall built to deter mass defections

East German citizens climb the Berlin wall at the Brandenburg Gate after the opening of the East German border was announced in Berlin, in this file picture taken November 9, 1989. Germany will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the fall of the wall on November 9, 2014.

BERLIN: Germany marks 25 years since the euphoric fall of the Berlin Wall Sunday with more than a million people expected to join tributes, festivities and an open-air party with freedom icons and rock stars.

Chancellor Angela Merkel leads commemorations for those killed trying to flee communist East Germany, ahead of a giant festival to celebrate the peaceful revolution that ended Europe's Cold War division on November 9, 1989.