It was a stand-off between American and Soviet tanks in 1961 that made the world hold its breath. Ten tanks from each country stood at Checkpoint Charlie, just 100 yards away, ready to fire.

For almost a week, more and more tanks arrived on both sides of the border. It was diplomatic talks between US Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and Soviet intelligence officer Georgi Bolshakov that prevented war.

Checkpoint Charlie, however, was a border crossing in the Berlin Wall between the Soviet and American sectors. The standoff in October 1961 was triggered when East German border guards checked the papers of an US diplomat.

The border crossing was also a weak point in the Berlin Wall, where it was easy to escape from east to west. Originally, it was just a barrier, and a car crashed through the barrier into West Berlin.

A massive pole was installed on the East Berlin side to prevent another escape, but another car drove under the border barrier anyway.

Since the fall of the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie has become a popular tourist destination. Every day, visitors take selfies at the border guard house and the sandbags.

However, the sandbags are cast in concrete, and the border guard house is a replica set up by The Wall Museum. The original border guard house is on display at the Allied Museum in a completely different location in Berlin.

On each side of the former border, there is also a large picture of two military officers. Depending on which side you are standing on, you will see either an American or an East German military officer.

Although the current border house is a replica, it is still an experience to be right there in the shadow of history.

The Cold War was essentially a conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union, with Europe caught in the middle. Checkpoint Charlie was the place where the two blocs were physically closest to each other, and where World War III came close to breaking out.

So join the queue with the other visitors, soak up the history, and take your selfie in front of the border guard house. It’s worth it.