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Twenty years ago, on November 9th, the Berlin Wall came tumbling down.

The greatest symbol of the Cold War, which many never dreamt they would see disappear, was overwhelmed by people power.

This momentous event precipitated largely peaceful revolutions across Eastern Europe as people shook off 40 years of communism.

The ´óÏó´«Ã½â€™s World Affairs Editor John Simpson, experienced it at first hand.

John travelled to Prague many times before the Velvet Revolution and met many of the key players and was a regular visitor to the Magic Lantern Theatre.

John returns to speak to some of the dissidents from then, to find out how far their hopes have been fulfilled.

First broadcast on and aired on ´óÏó´«Ã½ World Service on 20 November 2009.