The event that catalyzed the fall of communism in Eastern Europe was the rise of popular movements and protests against authoritarian regimes, particularly symbolized by the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. This wall's dismantling in November 1989 epitomized the collapse of Soviet influence and the desire for freedom among Eastern European nations. Citizens in countries like Poland, Czechoslovakia, and Hungary mobilized for democratic reforms, leading to the peaceful transition of power in many areas. The fall of communism marked a significant shift in global politics, leading to the reunification of Germany and the expansion of NATO and the European Union.