The Berlin Wall fell on November 9, 1989, marking a significant turning point and symbolizing the end of the Cold War in Europe. The wall had divided East and West Berlin since its construction in 1961, representing the broader ideological divide between the communist Eastern Bloc and the capitalist West. Its fall was prompted by a series of peaceful protests and increasing demands for freedom and reform in Eastern Europe. The event led to the reunification of Germany and was seen as a herald of the collapse of communist regimes across Eastern Europe, signaling a shift toward democracy and market economies in the region.