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.
- Home
- Fact categories
- Berlin Wall Facts
Berlin Wall Facts
Berlin wall facts and facts about berlin walls.
12 facts on this shelf
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.
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.