Berlin wall

Timeline

• May 8, 1945

World War II is over and Berlin is divided into 4 sectors: the American, and British in the West and the Soviet in the East

• June 30, 1946

At the instigation of the Soviet Military administration the demarcation line between East and West Germany is safeguarded

• October 29, 1946

A 30 day valid Interzonenpass is required to travel between the sectors in Germany

• June 23, 1948

Currency reform in Berlin, Berlin is divided into two different currency zones

• June 24, 1948

Begin of the Berlin blockade

• June 25, 1948

Berlin Airlift begins

• May 12, 1949

End of Berlin blockade

• May 24, 1949

Federal Republic of Germany is founded (West Germany)

• September 30, 1949

End of Berlin Airlift

• October 7, 1949

German Democratic Republic is founded (East Germany)

• May 26, 1952

Border between East and West Germany and between East Germany and West Berlin is closed. Only the border between East and West Berlin is still opened

• June 17, 1953

Uprising of East Berlin building workers against the imposition of increased working norms, suppression by Red Army tanks

• November 14, 1953

The Western Powers waive the Interzonenpass, the Soviet Union follows but East German citizen need a permission to travel to the West

• December 11, 1957

Leaving East Germany without permission is forbidden and violations are prosecuted with prison up to three years

• August 13, 1961

The Berlin sectorial border between East and West Berlin is closed, barriers are built

• August 14, 1961

Brandenburg Gate is closed

• August 26, 1961

All crossing points are closed for West Berlin citizens

• June 26, 1963

President J. F. Kennedy visits Berlin and says: "Ich bin ein Berliner." ("I am a Berliner.")

• December 17, 1963

West Berliner citizen may visit East Berlin the first time after more than two years

• September 3, 1971

Four Power's Agreement over Berlin visiting becomes easier for West Berliners

• June 12, 1987

President Ronald Reagan visits Berlin and urges Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin Wall.

• September 10, 1989

Hungarian government opens border for East German refugees

• November 9, 1989

Berlin Wall is opened

• December 22, 1989

Brandenburg Gate is opened

• October 3, 1990

Germany is reunited