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Gorbachev introduces glasnost
( Russian: “openness”) Soviet policy of open discussion of political and social issues. It was instituted by Mikhail Gorbachev in the late 1980s and began the democratization of the Soviet Union. -
Gorbachev introduces perestroika
Perestroika is the policy or practice of restructuring or reforming the economic and political system. First proposed by Leonid Brezhnev in 1979 and actively promoted by Mikhail Gorbachev for Soviet Russia. -
Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty signed
The treaty eliminated nuclear and conventional ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with intermediate ranges, defined as between 300–3,400 miles. The treaty did not cover sea launched missiles. -
Jozsef Antall elected prime minister of Hungary
He was the first democratically-elected Prime Minister of Hungary after the fall of Communism. -
Berlin Wall Falls
On November 9, 1989, a series of radical political changes and riots called for the communist East to order for the demolition of the Berlin War. Citizens from both sides of the barrier began to climb on top of the wide wall and chip away at its base with hammers and picks. -
Vaclav Havel elected president of Czechoslovakia
Havel's political philosophy was one of anti-consumerism, humanitarianism, environmentalism, civil activism, and direct democracy, causing him to win the majority vote. -
1st general elections in Romania
They were the first elections held after the overthrow of the Communist regime six months earlier, and also the first public presidential elections. They were also the first free elections held in the country since 1937. -
Lech Walesa elected president of Poland
President Walesa successfully implemented free-market reforms, but unfortunately he was a far more effective labor leader than president -
1990—Germany reunification takes place
A joyous moment for the people of Germany as both sides of the country are joined as one.
