Election
West German Chancellor Helmut Kohls Christian Democratic Union suffers a major setback in West Berlin municipal elections
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1989 in Germany
Explore 35 historical events and records for Germany in 1989.
Historical records for Germany in 1989
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 35 of 35 unique records.
35Unique records
1 of 1Page
29Named events on this page
16Named people on this page
7Places on this page
January
June
Dortmund DFB-Pokal Final Success
Guides Dortmund to the German Cup with a 4-1 win over Werder Bremen, delivering the club’s first major silverware since 1966.
German Cup Final Double
Scores twice as Dortmund overturns an early deficit to beat Werder Bremen 4-1 and end a long wait for a major trophy.
Madrid European Council
Represents Germany as leaders approve launching the first stage of economic and monetary union in July 1990.
First Stage of EMU Agreed
Supports the Madrid decision setting 1 July 1990 as the start of the first stage of economic and monetary union.
September
Leipzig Protest Crisis
Faces the first regular Monday demonstration in Leipzig as opposition protests grow.
Leipzig Demonstrations Expand
The Leipzig protests expand to several thousand participants despite continued SED pressure.
October
Appeal for Non-Violence
Joins prominent Leipzig citizens in appealing for calm and non-violence before the mass demonstration.
Leipzig Mass Demonstration
Around seventy thousand people demonstrate peacefully in Leipzig despite fears of a crackdown.
Leipzig Six Appeal
Participates in the local appeal urging peaceful dialogue during the Leipzig crisis.
Leipzig Six Appeal
Joins the appeal for non-violence and dialogue before the 9 October demonstration.
General
Appointed General Secretary of the SED, Socialist Unity Party
General
Appointed General Secretary of the SED, Socialist Unity Party
Leipzig Demonstration After Honecker
Faces continuing mass protests in Leipzig after replacing Honecker as SED leader.
Head of State
Appointed Head of State for the GDR
Leipzig Calls for Reform
Leipzig demonstrations continue as protesters demand political reform and free elections.
Rebellion of Rebels in East Germany
Replaced as leader of the Socialist Unity Party by Egon Krenz
Rebellion of Rebels in East Germany
Replaced as leader of the Socialist Unity Party by Egon Krenz
November
Leipzig November Demonstration
Large demonstrations continue in Leipzig immediately before the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Berlin Wall
The Berlin Wall opens marking the fall of the East German regime
Coming Out
Coming Out premieres in East Berlin on the night the Berlin Wall falls.
Unification
The German Democratic Republic collapses
Chairman
Appointed Chairman of the Council of Minister's for the GDR
December
Leipzig Stasi Occupation Context
Opposition activists occupy the Leipzig Stasi headquarters as SED authority collapses.
Head of State
Appointed Head of State for the GDR
Strasbourg European Council
Represents Germany as leaders consider monetary union, political change in Europe and future treaty negotiations.
EMU Intergovernmental Conference Decision
Supports the Strasbourg decision to convene an intergovernmental conference on treaty changes needed for monetary union.
Arrest of Erich Honecker
Placed under House arrest for treason, corruption & abuse of power. Expelled from the Communist Party, following allegations of corruption
Berlin Wall
Mitterand visits Hans Modrow in East Berlin & delay the fall of the Berlin Wall
Treason
Placed under House arrest for treason, corruption & abuse of power
Visit to Berlin
Mitterand visits Hans Modrow in East Berlin & delay the fall of the Berlin Wall
Other events (month unknown)
Demokratischer Aufbruch
Merkel gets involved in the growing democracy movement after the fall of the Berlin Wall, joining the new party Demokratischer Aufbruch
Election
Following the first (and only) democratic election of the East German state, Merkel becomes the deputy spokesperson of the new pre-unification caretaker Government under Lothar de Maiziare
Party Leader
AppointedLeader of the Socialist Unity Party
US Open
Winner of the mens US tennis open
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.