The fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989, was caused by a combination of socio-political factors, including widespread civil unrest in East Germany and broader changes across Eastern Europe. Public protests calling for increased freedom and reform had been intensifying throughout the late 1980s. The Soviet Union's policy of glasnost (openness) by Mikhail Gorbachev encouraged greater political dissent, weakening the grip of communist regimes. The unexpected announcement by East German officials regarding relaxed border restrictions led to masses gathering at the wall. As guards opened the gates, East and West Berliners celebrated the end of division, symbolizing a pivotal moment in the Cold War.