The major global event that occurred in 1989, significantly impacting Eastern Europe, was the fall of the Berlin Wall. The Berlin Wall, erected in 1961, had symbolized the division between East and West during the Cold War. Its fall on November 9, 1989, marked the beginning of the end for communist regimes in Eastern Europe. Citizens from East and West Berlin celebrated their newfound freedom to cross the border, leading to a wave of protests and the eventual collapse of communist governments throughout the region. This event ultimately set the stage for the reunification of Germany and significant geopolitical changes.