The Fall of the Wall

October 7, 1989. It is on this date that the 'Chronik der Wende' (Chronicle of German Reunification) begins. On this day, the leadership of the state and the Socialist Unity Party [SED] celebrated the 40th anniversary of the foundation of the GDR. Thousands of people demonstrate in the streets of Leipzig, East Berlin and other cities for their freedom and rights. November 4, 1989. For many GDR citizens, this day is the highlight of change; almost 500,000 people meet on the Alexander square in East Berlin to sue for radical reforms and to protest against the SED regime. It is the biggest demonstration that has ever taken place in GDR history. Many famous speakers, first of all actors, writers and artists, demand a renewed socialism. November 9, 1989. On this date, events come quick and fast. Due to misunderstandings within the SED leadership an immediate right to travel is promulgated. This decision is understood as a signal that the wall has fallen. On that night, tens of thousands of GDR citizens flock through the open border gates into West Berlin. Germans from East and West celebrate together in a gigantic public festival.