1989 ⟶ Berlin Wall Breached

Revolutions of Eastern Europe: Soviet reforms have allowed E...
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Year
1949
1961
1987
1989

🕊️ Berlin Blockade Ends

The Soviet blockade of Berlin ends with the re-opening of access routes to Berlin. The airlift continues until September, in case the Soviets re-establish the blockade. Brune argues, "Moscow realized the blockade had not been successful – it had drawn the Western powers closer together rather than dividing them. Finally, Western countermeasures had inflicted considerable damage on the economic life of East Germany and the other Soviet satellites."⟶
Berlin Blockade Ends (1949)
Berlin BlockadeBerlin AirliftGermanyCold WarUSSREuropeContainment

🧱 Berlin Wall Construction Begins

The Berlin Wall is built by the Soviets following the breakdown in talks to decide the future of Germany.⟶
Berlin Wall Construction Begins (1961)
BerlinGermanyCold WarUSSREuropeDivisionIron CurtainEast Germany

🧱 Reagan's 'Tear Down This Wall' Speech

During a visit to West Berlin, U.S. President Ronald Reagan challenges Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev in a speech: "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" (The Berlin Wall).⟶
Reagan's 'Tear Down This Wall' Speech (1987)
Berlin WallRonald ReaganMikhail GorbachevCold WarUSEuropeSpeechSymbolic ActIdeology

🧱 Berlin Wall Breached

Revolutions of Eastern Europe: Soviet reforms have allowed Eastern Europe to change the Communist governments there. The Berlin Wall is breached when Politburo spokesman, Günter Schabowski, not fully informed of the technicalities or procedures of the newly agreed lifting of travel restrictions, mistakenly announces at a news conference in East Berlin that the borders have been opened.⟶
Berlin Wall Breached (1989)
Berlin WallGermanyFall of Communism1989Cold WarEastern BlocRevolutionsGünter SchabowskiBorder Opening

🚪 Pan-European Picnic Opens Austria-Hungary Border

The opening of the border gate between Austria and Hungary at the Pan-European Picnic set in motion a chain reaction, at the end of which there was no longer a GDR and the Eastern Bloc had disintegrated.⟶
Pan-European Picnic Opens Austria-Hungary Border (1989)
HungaryAustriaBorder OpeningPan-European PicnicEastern BlocGDRFall of CommunismIron Curtain1989

🇩🇪 East Germany's Honecker Ousted, Hungary Reforms

The Hungarian constitution is amended to allow a multi-party political system and elections. In East Germany, the nearly 20-year term of communist leader Erich Honecker comes to an end.⟶
East Germany's Honecker Ousted, Hungary Reforms (1989)
East GermanyHungaryPolitical ReformErich HoneckerCommunism1989Multi-party systemEastern BlocFall of Communism