East German workers went on strike in protest at Soviet rule on 16 June 1953.

Demonstrations spread throughout the country but were soon crushed by communist troops. Martial law followed.

In 2011, Nina Robinson spoke to Helmut Strecker who was a 21-year-old student and the son of communist party supporters.

Helmut was on the streets of East Berlin trying to persuade marchers to go home.

(Photo: East Germany demonstrators march through Brandenburg Gate. Credit: Bettmann via Getty Images)