The Berlin Wall — the concrete-and-barbed-wire barrier that had divided East from West Berlin since 1961 — was opened to crossings on the night of?
The opening was substantially accidental. East German Politburo spokesman Günter Schabowski announced a new and confusing emigration regulation at a 9 November 1989 press conference, was asked when it took effect, riffled through his papers, and answered (incorrectly) 'immediately, without delay.' East Berliners massed at the border crossings within hours; the border guards, having received no implementation orders, eventually opened the gates rather than fire on the crowds. Germany formally reunified almost 11 months later (3 October 1990). The Soviet Union dissolved two years later (December 1991).
Read the full facts →The Berlin Wall fell on the night of 9 November 1989 when, following weeks of escalating East German political crisis and the announcement of relaxed travel regulations, East German border guards opened the checkpoints between East and West Berlin to the crowds gathered on both sides. The event is the conventional symbolic end of the Cold War and the trigger for the rapid political reunification of Germany in 1990.
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