The fall of the Wall

On the evening of November 9, 1989, the GDR opened its border crossings to the West for all citizens: The event went down in history as The Fall of the Wall.
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A process without historical precedent
Germany has been reunited since October 3, 1990. The peaceful revolution of the people in the GDR had brought down the Wall that had divided Germany into east and west.
Berlin: Celebrations on the occasion of the fall of the Berlin Wall open
Almost 30 years ago the #BerlinWall fell. Today, a week-long celebration of the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall began. Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel and the Federal President are expected on 9 November.
30 Years of the Fall of the Wall: What Remains of the Death Strip
Manfred Gille has been patrolling the inner-German border for years. Today, he volunteers his time to guide mainly young visitors across the former death strip in the Oberharz.
One country – many differences
There are many differences between east and west – and also between north and south. Surprising insights: Germany, 30 years after the fall of the Wall.
Myths and realities
Manfred Güllner, the well-known opinion researcher, explains how the “electoral successes” of the right-wing populist AfD should really be assessed.
Populists in search of votes
Populists are also making their voices heard in Germany. How do they operate and what do they mean for democracy? A political scientist provides answers.
Berlin: a double take
Berlin's division until the fall of the Wall in 1989 doubled many things — a real added value for Berlin visitors today.

Born under communism and searching for identity
Born before 1989, the "Third Generation East" is trying to understand its families' lives under communist rule.
Germany without the Wall
Taking stock: many things have normalised in the last 30 years, but differences still remain.
Growing together
Stefan was born two years before the fall of the Berlin Wall. Although he grew up in united Germany, he can still see traces of the old division today.
No Young Pioneer’s badge
Angie Pohlers was born in eastern Germany the year the Wall came down. How has she experienced the growing together of East and West?
A life without the Wall
In 1989 the Wall fell, and in 1989 our author was born. She belongs to a generation that never experienced a divided Germany.
Stayed here
The writer María Cecilia Barbetta has found her second home in Germany. Here she tells how it happened.
Train to freedom
A multimedia project depicts the escape of Christian Bürger from the GDR in 1989.
Remembrance of the Wall in times of Instagram
Smartphones, selfisticks, cameras: the #EastSideGallery on the #Spree is a tourist magnet. Almost 30 years ago, artists painted the east side of the wall and transformed it into a gallery. What do the visitors who only take selfies know about its history?
Berlin's East Side Gallery is saved - Berlin Wall
Crowds of tourists make daily pilgrimages to the painted wall in the capital. But what has the place for a history and who painted here?
The challenge "Aufbau Ost"
The reunification process is without historical precedent and a national tour de force that cannnot be completed in a few years.

A life in two worlds
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A strife-torn continent finds inner peace
Read moreTwo plus Four Treaty
The fall of the Berlin Wall marked the beginning of a new era, but it was the Two plus Four Treaty that actually paved the way to German reunification.
Udo Lindenberg and German Unity
No other German pop star has focused on Germany’s division to the same extent as Udo Lindenberg. He is more successful than ever in the reunified Germany.