10 events leading to the fall of the Berlin Wall

19 August

The "Pan-European Picnic" on the Austrian-Hungarian border: 600 GDR citizens flee to the West. By this time the Federal Republic of Germany's representation in East Berlin and its Embassies in Budapest and Prague are already overflowing and are forced to close.

24 August

In view of the swelling flood of refugees, Hungary allows all GDR citizens who have taken refuge in the West German Embassy in Budapest to leave Hungary via the Austrian border, and to go from there to West Germany. On 10 September this measure is extended to apply to all GDR citizens in Hungary.

4 September

The Monday Demonstrations held after the prayers for peace start in Leipzig. The participants call for a new peaceful, democratic order in the GDR.

12 September

The Polish Government promises all GDR citizens who have sought refuge in the West German Embassy in Warsaw that they will not be sent back to the GDR.

30 September

"We have come to you to tell you that today your departure …" The wild jubilation that meet this announcement, made by West German Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher from the balcony of the West German Prague Embassy, drowns out the words that follow. But the message is clear: All GDR refugees encamped in the crowded Embassy in Prague would be allowed to travel to West Germany. The East German authorities contacted the West German Government in advance, and the very same night special trains are organized that carry thousands of people through the territory of the GDR to reach the West.

7 October

The GDR regime celebrates the 40th anniversary of the founding of the German Democratic Republic. Public protests are organized in East Berlin, which are broken up with force by the People's Police.

9 October

The evening of the key Monday Demonstration in Leipzig. At least 70,000 citizens march past the local Stasi headquarters; the security services decide not to intervene given the sheer numbers of peaceful demonstrators.

18 October

The Monday Demonstrations and prayers for peace are copied around the GDR. Erich Honecker is forced to resign by the Politburo.

4 November

More than 500,000 people demonstrate in East Berlin for freedom of the press, freedom of opinion and freedom of assembly, as well as for democratic reforms.

9 November

At an international press conference, Politburo member Günter Schabowski announces that a new travel regulation is to come into effect "immediately, without delay". The press conference is broadcast live on TV. As a result, thousands of Berliners from the East and West of the city make their way to the Wall. In the course of the evening, the border guards capitulate to the crowds and open the border crossings. The fall of the Berlin Wall symbolizes the end of the division of Germany and of Europe.