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Key dates

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Events that led to the fall of the Berlin Wall and reunification

Rigged elections, mass emigration and demonstrations led to the collapse of the power structures in the German Democratic Republic (GDR) in 1989. After the resignation of the head of state, Erich Honecker, on October18 and the fall of the Berlin Wall at the beginning of November, a rapid unification process was set in motion.

November 9, 1989

Politburo member Guenter Schabowski mentions that the borders have been opened with immediate effect. Not long afterwards thousands of East Germans flood across the borders. After 28 years, the Berlin Wall comes down.

December 3, 1989

Under pressure from the party rank and file, the politburo and the central committee resign.

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