Why was the Wall built?
After World War II Germany and Berlin were divided into zones. Many East Germans left for the West through Berlin. In August 1961 East Germany built a barrier around West Berlin to stop them, and it became a symbol of the Cold War.
Changes in 1989
Reforms in the Soviet Union under Mikhail Gorbachev encouraged change in Eastern Europe. In 1989 Hungary opened its border with Austria, and thousands of East Germans crossed to the West. Mass protests, including the Monday demonstrations in Leipzig, put pressure on the government.
9 November 1989
At a press conference, East German official Gunter Schabowski announced new travel rules and, when asked when they took effect, said they applied immediately. Crowds gathered at the border crossings. Guards, without clear orders, eventually opened the gates, starting with the Bornholmer Strasse crossing that night.
What happened next
People began to dismantle parts of the Wall. East Germany's government collapsed, and Germany was formally reunified on 3 October 1990. The Soviet Union was dissolved in December 1991.
Key dates
- August 1961: Wall construction begins
- 9 November 1989: border crossings open
- 3 October 1990: German reunification
- 26 December 1991: Soviet Union dissolved