How long did the Berlin Wall stand, from its construction to its opening?
Answer
28 years, 2 months, 27 days
The Berlin Wall stood for 28 years, 2 months, and 27 days, from 13 August 1961 until 9 November 1989.
East Germany began sealing West Berlin in August 1961 to stop the continuing exodus of citizens to the West. The initial barriers were quickly replaced by a heavily fortified system of concrete walls, fences, guard towers, patrol roads, and a cleared border strip.
The wall did not disappear immediately after its opening. Border controls rapidly weakened, and demolition began in stages, but the political barrier had effectively collapsed on 9 November 1989. German reunification followed on 3 October 1990.
The duration is sometimes rounded to 28 years, but the exact period is 28 years, 2 months, and 27 days. The calculation uses the start of the Berlin closure on 13 August 1961 and the opening of the border on 9 November 1989.