1949 The blockade of West Berlin ended
65 years ago, on May 12, 1949, Stalin ended the ground blockade of West Berlin. The blockade, established on June 21, 1948, in response to the introduction of a new currency in the western zones of German occupation, proved ineffective, as England and the United States established an air bridge to Berlin. In total, 278,228 transport aviation flights were made and 2,326,406 tons of cargo were delivered.