Which ARD anchorman called 9 November 1989 a historic day on Tagesthemen?

Which ARD anchorman called 9 November 1989 a historic day on Tagesthemen? Hanns Joachim Friedrichs delivered the famous line.

Friedrichs was the principal presenter associated with ARD’s Tagesthemen during the late 1980s. He opened the programme on 9 November with the striking declaration that the date was “a historic day” and that the GDR had announced its borders were open.

The broadcast followed Günter Schabowski’s confused press conference, where the SED official announced new travel rules and, when asked when they would take effect, answered “immediately.” The statement was interpreted as an instant opening of the border, although the intended regulations were not yet operational.

A common mix-up is Riccardo Ehrman, the Italian journalist who asked Schabowski about the travel rules. Schabowski made the announcement, while Friedrichs reported its consequences to millions of viewers on Tagesthemen. Friedrichs remained a Tagesthemen presenter until 1991.