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Gorbachev introduces Glasnost
When Gorbachev became general secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in March 1985, he introduced the program of glasnost. This program introduced profound changes in economic practice, internal affairs and international relations. Within five years, glasnost swept communist governments from power and brought an end to the Cold War. -
Gorbachev introduces Perestroika
Gorbachev introduced a reform program to address problems his nation was facing. Perestroika started with an overhaul of the top members of the Communist Party. It focused on economic issues, replacing the centralized government planning. -
Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty signed
An agreement between the United States and the Soviet Union. This treaty eliminated nuclear and conventional ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with intermediate ranges. The treaty did not cover sea launched missiles. -
Jozsef Antall elected prime minister of Hungary
Jozsef Antall was elected president of the Hungarian Democratic Forum by a large majority, becoming the official prime minister. He worked in the committee on constitutional reform. He became well known for his activities during the negotiations. -
Berlin Wall Falls
When the cold War began to thaw across Eastern Europe, East Berlin announced a change in the city's relations with the West. Citizens were free to cross the country's borders, and the wall was soon torn apart by people cranes and bulldozers. -
Vaclav Havel elected president of Czechoslovakia
Vaclav Havel became the president of Czechoslovakia by a unanimous vote of the Federal Assembly. He was also the leader of the Civic Forum. In 1990, soon after his election he was awarded the Prize For Freedom of the Liberal International. -
Germany reunification takes place
The German reunification was the process in which the German Democratic Republic joined the Federal Republic of Germany to form the reunited nation of Germany. Berlin also reunited into a single city at this time.The end of the unification process is officially referred to as German unity, celebrated on October 3rd. -
Lech Walesa elected president of Poland
After the June 1989 elections, Walesa was disappointed that some of his fellow campaigners wanted to govern alongside former Communists. He decided to run for President, and won it. In 1993 he founded his own political party, the Nonpartisan Bloc for Support of Reforms. -
1st general elections in Romania
General elections were held in Romania on May 20, 1990. They were the first elections held after the overthrow of the Communist regime, and also the first public presidential elections. They were also the first free elections held in the country since 1937.
