May 8, 1945 |
World War II is over and Berlin is divided into 4 sectors: the American, British, French in the West and the Soviet (Russian) 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 |