When Hungary opened its borders in the summer of 1989, a mass of East Germans made their way to the West while student protests in Leipzeig put pressure on the government to lower the borders into West Berlin. On November 9th, 1989, Gunther Schabowski, Minister of Propoganda, made a speech at the press conference announcing that the border would be opened for "private trips abroad" which required a special VISA. Upon hearing this news, thousands of Germans rapidly assembled to the checkpoints demanding passage. The office line and the border guards were hesitant of what to do and lacked the equipment to contain this headstrong mob, so they were forced to let them through. After the long 30 years, the Wall had finally fallen.
"The Berlin Wall go down, that was the most wonderful thing that could happen, absolutely. I celebrated with everybody in Berlin that day when the Wall was down."
- Nana Mouskouri
- Nana Mouskouri