Moving Footage
1989 - The fall of the Iron Curtain
1989 was a landmark year. The series of revolutions that swept across the Eastern bloc countries and the subsequent fall of the Iron Curtain culminated in a year that is considered to be an historical turning point. Eastern Germany, Hungary, Poland and the former Czechoslovakia all managed to overthrow their Communist regimes, starting a new era, which would eventually lead into the fall of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War in the early nineties.
Here we have a selection of some of the key moments and influential figures from a year of great significance.
Berlin Wall
A selection of stories relating to the rise and fall of the Berlin Wall
The Iron Curtain falls
In May 1989, Hungary begins dismantling its section of the "Iron Curtain", that has divided Europe for over 40 years
Poland
Solidarity leader Lech Walesa contests Poland's first popular Presidential elections in December 1990
Romania
A compilation of historically important material on the country of Romania
The Iron Curtain
A 1961 report on the 870 mile long Iron Curtain
Russian Leaders
Russian and Soviet leaders from Vladimir Lenin to Dmitry Medvedev
Hungary
Leading Politburo reformer Imre Pozsgay leads Hungary towards a transition to a Western-style democracy in March 1989
Czechoslovakia
Vaclav Havel becomes President of Czechoslovakia in December 1989, ending 40 years of Communist rule
East Germany
In December 1989, the Communist Party in East Germany elects a pro-reform lawyer, Gregor Gysi, as its leader
Peaceful Revolution
East Berlin demonstrations in October 1989 as 18 East German citizens seek refuge in US embassy during the Peaceful Revolution
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