During a revolutionary wave sweeping across the Eastern Bloc, the East German government announced on Nov. 9, 1989, after several weeks of civil unrest, that all GDR citizens could visit West Germany and West Berlin. Crowds of East Germans climbed onto and crossed the wall, joined by West Germans on the other side in a celebratory atmosphere. The fall of the Wall allowed for German reunification, formally concluded on Oct. 3, 1990. __