On what date did the official demolition of the Berlin Wall begin?

The official demolition of the Berlin Wall began on 13 June 1990.

The Wall had already been breached and partly dismantled by crowds after the border opened on 9 November 1989. However, the large-scale, organized removal of the remaining border fortifications began later, on 13 June 1990. East German and West Berlin authorities coordinated the work, which used cranes, cutting equipment, and other heavy machinery.

This distinction explains why two dates are often confused. 9 November 1989 marks the opening of the border and the symbolic fall of the Wall. 13 June 1990 marks the start of official demolition. Sections were preserved for historical and artistic reasons, including the East Side Gallery and memorial sites, so organized removal did not mean every surviving fragment disappeared immediately.