# Fall of the Berlin Wall (1989)

URL: https://germany-history.com/timeline/1989-fall-of-the-berlin-wall
Location: Berlin
Categories: main-event

On 9 November 1989 Politburo member Günter Schabowski mistakenly announced that the border was open. Crowds forced the checkpoints open. East and West Berliners celebrated on the wall.

## Why it matters
It opened the way to German reunification.

Ruler at the time: [Helmut Kohl](https://germany-history.com/rulers/helmut-kohl)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia – Fall of the Berlin Wall](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fall_of_the_Berlin_Wall)