Construction, Incidents, and Fall of the Berlin Wall (1961–1989)

1. Ulbricht denies plans to build a wall

   Jun 15, 1961Labels: Walter Ulbricht, East Germany

   • Berlin Wall Hist
   • Britannica

2. East Germany seals West Berlin border

   Aug 13, 1961Labels: Berlin Wall, East Germany

   • Berlin Wall Hist
   • Britannica

3. First known death at the Berlin Wall

   Aug 22, 1961Labels: Ida Siekmann, Bernauer Stra

   • Berlin Wall Dead
   • Berlin Wall Memorial

4. Peter Fechter shot during escape attempt

   Aug 17, 1962Labels: Peter Fechter, Checkpoint Charlie

   • Berlin de
   • GHDI

5. Four Power Agreement improves access to Berlin

   Sep 3, 1971Labels: Four Power, Allied powers

   • CVCE
   • Britannica

6. GDR begins building “Grenzmauer 75” wall system

   Jan 1, 1975Labels: Grenzmauer 75, GDR

   • Berlin de
   • Berlin Wall Hist

7. Reagan calls to “tear down” the Wall

   Jun 12, 1987Labels: Ronald Reagan, Brandenburg Gate

   • Reagan Diary
   • State Dept

8. Chris Gueffroy shot at the Berlin Wall

   Feb 5, 1989Labels: Chris Gueffroy, Berlin Wall

   • Bundesregierung
   • DHM Blog

9. Hungary opens route for East Germans to West

   Sep 11, 1989Labels: Hungary, Austrian border

   • RFE RL
   • Wir waren so

10. Leipzig Monday demonstration stays peaceful

    Oct 9, 1989Labels: Leipzig demonstrations, Peaceful protest

    • Chronik der Wende
    • Revolution89

11. Schabowski press conference triggers border rush

    Nov 9, 1989Labels: G nter, SED

    • UNESCO
    • Archives Portal

12. Berlin Wall crossings open; Wall effectively falls

    Nov 10, 1989Labels: Berlin Wall, Border crossings

    • Revolution89
    • TIME