The Sixties and Beyond

November 9, 1989

The Berlin Wall Falls

Suddenly, on November 9, 1989, an announcement made by East German government official Günter Schabowski stated, "Permanent relocations can be done through all border checkpoints between East Germany into West Germany or West Berlin." East Germans tentatively approached the border and indeed found that the border guards were letting people cross. Very quickly, the Berlin Wall was flooded with people from both sides. Some began chipping at the Berlin Wall with hammers and chisels. There was an impromptu huge celebration along the Berlin Wall, with people hugging, kissing, singing, cheering, and crying.

The demolishing of the Berlin Wall