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Gorbachev Introduces Glasnost
Gorbachev lead the nation differently on a dramatic new course. His dual program of “perestroika” which was restructuring and “glasnost” which was openness introduced reforms in economic practice, internal affairs and international relations. -
Gorbachev Introduces Perestroika
Perestroika refers to the reconstruction of the political and economic system established by the Communist Party. Politically, elections were held to reflect the democratic practices of Western society and allow citizens to have a slight say in government. -
Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty Signed
This required the United States and the Soviet Union to eliminate and permanently give over all of their nuclear and conventional ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges of 500 to 5,500 kilometers. Both nations agreed to sign it peacefully. -
Jozsef Antall Elected Prime Minister of Hungary
Politician and prime minister of Hungary from 1989 until his death in 1993. As democratic organizations began to re-emerge in Hungary, he first made contact with the Independent Smallholders’ Party, the leading non-communist party of the postwar period. Antall led the MDF delegation at the talks preparing the country for the transition to democracy, and he was voted president of the MDF. -
Berlin Wall Falls
The Cold War was ending in Eastern Europe, and the spokesman for East Berlin's Communist Party announced a change in his city's relations with the West. That night, excited crowds went to the wall to cross into West Berlin, while others brought hammers and picks and began to chip at the wall. -
Vaclav Havel Elected President of Czechoslovakia
Massive anti-government demonstrations started in Prague in November 1989, Havel became the leading figure, a new coalition of non-communist opposition groups pressing for democratic reforms. In early December the Communist Party was finished and formed a coalition government with the Civic Forum resulting in an agreement between the partners in this bloodless “Velvet Revolution,” Havel was elected to the post of interim president of Czechoslovakia. -
1st General Elections in Romania
These were the first elections held after the overthrow of the Communist regime six months before, and the first public presidential elections. Also, they were the first free elections held in the country since 1937. -
Germany Reunification Takes Place
The German Democratic Republic ceased to exist, and five new Federal States on its former territory joined the Federal Republic of Germany. East and West Berlin were joint once again, and the unified nation joined the Federal Republic as a full-fledged Federal City-State. -
Lech Walesa Elected President of Poland
Solidarity won an overwhelming majority of those seats in June 1989, and, after Walesa refused to form a coalition government with the communists, the parliament was forced to accept a Solidarity-led government, though Walesa himself refused to serve as premier.
