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Berlin Wall Falls

November 9, 1989 AD · 20th Century

EngineeringPolitics

On November 9, 1989, East German spokesman Gunter Schabowski announced at a press conference that travel restrictions to the West would be lifted immediately — a premature statement that was not yet official policy. Thousands of East Berliners surged to the Wall's checkpoints, and overwhelmed border guards opened the gates. Citizens from both sides began dismantling the concrete barrier that had divided the city since 1961. German reunification followed on October 3, 1990.

Key Figures

Günter SchabowskiMikhail GorbachevHelmut KohlRonald Reagan

Locations

Brandenburg GateBornholmer Strasse CheckpointCheckpoint CharlieBerlin Wall

Topics

Germanyww2soviet-unionhuman rights

Connected Events — 1 Connection

Schabowski's mistaken announcement directly triggered crowds at border checkpoints, causing guards to open the gates hours later that same evening Schabowski's Mistaken Press Conference Announcement

November 9, 1989 · Politics · 20th Century

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