The "Historische Kommission zu Berlin" (Historical Commssion of Berlin) explores the history of the region as well as the historical geography of Berlin-Brandenburg and Brandenburg-Prussia. The commission carries out this exploration through academic research, lectures, conferences, and publications, and offers its service for researchers and other institutes. In doing this, the commission cooperates with other institutes and accompanies academic and practical projects which are of public interest. The series "Veröffentlichungen der Historischen Kommission zu Berlin" (VHKB; Publications of the Historical Commisison of Berlin) publishes the results of the various academic projects of the commission.
By addressing the problem of Berlin's cross-border commuters, the author traces a hitherto largely neglected phenomenon in contemporary history. Until the building of the Berlin Wall, numerous inhabitants of the divided city worked in their "other" Berlin. However, the Cold War and conflicting economic systems made commuting across the Iron Curtain a problem that plunged many into conflict and was symptomatic like no other of the tensions in the divided city. This account opens a new window on a time of extraordinary challenges in politics and everyday life.
Frank Roggenbuch, Eggersdorf bei Strausberg.
