Today, November 9th, 2024, marks the 35th Anniversary of the fall of The Berlin Wall and the beginning of the end of Communist rule in Germany and the rest of eastern Europe.

The Berlin Wall was constructed in 1961 to divide East Berlin and West Berlin.

The road to the fall of the Berlin Wall started the month before with the resignation of Erich Honecker as the leader of East Germany.

Günter Schabowski, the party leader in East Berlin, was part of a news conference on November 9th, 1989. He stated that new regulations would take effect allowing for travel, and emigration, from East Germany to West Germany. When asked when the new regulations would take effect, he stated: “Das tritt nach meiner Kenntnis … ist das sofort … unverzüglich” (“As far as I know, it takes effect immediately, without delay”.)

This comment led to the border crossings being opened later that night and parts of the Berlin Wall being demolished.

Germany would be re-united the following year.

For more information abut the fall of the Berlin Wall:

The Berlin Wall came down 35 years ago today. Fragments of the famous border still remain today.

Fall of the Berlin Wall

Fall of Berlin Wall: How 1989 reshaped the modern world

Berlin Wall