1989: Berlin Wall comes down
East Germany opens its borders to West
Germany. In the late 1980s, East
German communist leader
Erich Honecker resisted Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev’s liberal reforms, which he viewed as subversive. In the summer of 1989, Honecker’s hard-line regime was overwhelmed by the wave of democratisation sweeping across Eastern Europe. Reform-minded East Germans staged massive demonstrations and thousands fled to the West through newly liberalised Hungary. In October, another hard-line communist,
Egon Krenz, replaced Honecker, but it was too late to save
communism in
East Germany. On the evening of 9th November 1989, East Germany announced an easing of travel restrictions to the West and thousands demanded passage though the
Berlin Wall. Faced with a growing
demonstration, East German border guards opened the borders. Jubilant Berliners climbed on top of the
Berlin Wall, painted graffiti on it, and removed fragments as souvenirs. The fortified barrier, the most famous symbol of
Cold War division, had split Berlin since 1961. In 1990, East and West Germany were officially reunited.
2006
The Democrats officially take control of both house of Congress during the mid-term elections, the first time they have been in such a position since 1994.
1993
In
Britain, lawyers acting on behalf of Diana the Princess of Wales launch legal proceedings against the
Mirror Newspaper group for
publishing secret photos of the Princess exercising at a gym.
1988
Vice-President George Bush wins the American Presidential election, defeating Democrat Michael Dukakis.
1985
Garry Kasparov becomes the youngest ever world chess champion.
1985
“Royal fever” hits the United States as Prince Charles and Princess Diana begin a four day visit to America.
1979
In England, the “Bridgewater Four” are found guilty of the murder of paperboy Carl Bridgewater. 18 years later there convictions are quashed, although one of the men had already died in prison.
1965
The Great Northeast Blackout, the biggest power failure in U.S. history, occurs as all of New York State, portions of seven neighbouring states, and parts of eastern
Canada are plunged into darkness.
1963
458
Japanese miners are killed by an underground explosion at a coal mine in Miike, Fukuoka,
Japan. 1956
Following the brutal Soviet invasion of
Hungary, French philosopher and author Jean-Paul Sartre denounces both the
USSR and its communist system.
1953
Cambodia gains independence from France.
1938
German Nazis launch a campaign of terror against Jewish people and their homes and businesses in Germany and
Austria. The violence, which continued through to 10th November is known as
Kristallnacht (Night of Broken Glass).
1919
Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicates from the
German and Prussian throne.
1907
The Cullinan Diamond, the largest diamond yet found, is presented by the government of Transvaal to King
Edward VII of Britain.
