When did the Berlin Wall fall?
The Berlin Wall fell on November 9, 1989. East and West Germany officially reunified less than a year later, on October 3, 1990.
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How did a press conference mistake open the Berlin Wall?
On November 9, 1989, East German official Günter Schabowski mistakenly announced that new travel rules took effect "immediately," and crowds rushed to the Berlin Wall that same night.
Who opened the first Berlin Wall checkpoint?
On the night of November 9, 1989, East German border guard officer Harald Jäger, facing huge crowds at the Bornholmer Strasse checkpoint, decided to open the gates without official orders.
Who said "Tear down this wall"?
President Ronald Reagan challenged Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to "tear down this wall" in a speech in West Berlin on June 12, 1987.
How long was the Berlin Wall?
The Berlin Wall stretched about 96 miles (155 km) around West Berlin, cutting the city off from East Germany.
How did peaceful protests help bring down the Berlin Wall?
Peaceful protests, especially the Monday demonstrations in Leipzig where about 70,000 people marched on October 9, 1989, pressured East Germany's government weeks before the Wall opened.
When did Germany reunify?
East and West Germany officially reunified on October 3, 1990, less than a year after the Berlin Wall fell.
Which famous cellist played at the Berlin Wall?
Days after the Berlin Wall opened in 1989, famous cellist Mstislav Rostropovich played Bach in front of it in a spontaneous celebration.
Did David Hasselhoff perform at the Berlin Wall?
David Hasselhoff performed his song "Looking for Freedom" on top of a section of the Berlin Wall on New Year's Eve 1989, and the moment is still remembered in Germany.
What is the East Side Gallery?
The East Side Gallery is the longest surviving stretch of the Berlin Wall, about 0.8 miles long, and is covered in murals painted by artists from around the world.
Where can you see pieces of the Berlin Wall?
Pieces of the Berlin Wall are on display around the world, including at presidential libraries, museums, and public spaces in the US.
Where is the Tesla Model Y built?
Tesla builds the Model Y in Fremont, California; Austin, Texas; Shanghai, China; and near Berlin, Germany.
Where was the first Olympic basketball tournament played?
Basketball debuted at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, where games were played outdoors and the final was played in pouring rain.
Does Berlin have more bridges than Venice?
Berlin has more bridges than Venice.
Who invented currywurst?
Herta Heuwer is credited with inventing currywurst in Berlin in 1949.
What is the Ampelmännchen?
The Ampelmännchen, the little hat-wearing figure on East German traffic lights, became a beloved symbol of Berlin.
What is the "Pope's revenge"?
When sunlight hits the ball of Berlin's TV Tower, it reflects in the shape of a cross, which Berliners nicknamed the "Pope's revenge."
How big is Berlin compared with Paris?
Berlin covers about nine times the area of the city of Paris.
When was the Brandenburg Gate built?
Berlin's Brandenburg Gate was completed in 1791.
What is Museum Island?
Museum Island in Berlin is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
What happened to Tempelhof Airport?
Berlin's Tempelhof Airport closed and is now a park.
Where was the döner kebab popularized?
The döner kebab was popularized in Berlin in the 1970s.
When did Berlin become Germany's capital again?
Germany voted in 1991 to move its capital from Bonn back to Berlin, and the government moved in 1999.
Who was the "flying swami"?
Swami Vishnudevananda, a disciple of Sivananda, was called the "flying swami" for flying a small plane over borders like the Berlin Wall on peace missions.