The Berlin Wall fell in 1989, marking the opening of the border between East and West Berlin.
East Germany began building the Berlin Wall on 13 August 1961 to stop people from leaving East Berlin and East Germany through the city’s open sectors. The barrier included concrete walls, fences, guard towers, a patrol strip, and other security measures. It became the most visible symbol of the division between the communist Eastern bloc and the Western allies.
On 9 November 1989, East German spokesman Günter Schabowski announced new travel regulations and, after being questioned, indicated that they took effect immediately. Crowds gathered at crossing points, and guards eventually opened the gates. Berliners then climbed onto and chipped away at the wall.
The fall did not instantly reunify Germany, but it accelerated political change across Europe. German reunification formally occurred on 3 October 1990. Several preserved sections, including the East Side Gallery, remain historical landmarks.