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CHRONOLOGY: Seemingly minor events in early 1989 led to big changes

by : dpa

Date : Sun, 08 Nov 2009 06:10:29 GMT





November 10, 1989 - Todor Zhivkov is ousted in a party coup in Bulgaria. A few days later, his successor, Petar Mladenov, announces an effective end of the totalitarian regime.

November 17, 1989 - Riot police crack down on a peaceful student protest in Prague, kicking off the Velvet Revolution.

November 24, 1989 - Czechoslovak Communist Party leadership resigns.

December 1, 1989 - The East German parliament removes the right of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED) to rule exclusively.

December 2, 1989 - Austria lifts visa restriction for Czechoslovakian citizens. More than 100,000 Czechs use the opportunity for short visits to Vienna.

December 3, 1989 - The East German Politburo and the Central Committee, led by Egon Krenz, step down.

December 7, 1989 - The Union of Democratic Forces (UDF) is formed as the first openly anti-communist movement in Bulgaria.

December 10, 1989 - Czechoslovakia 's President, Gustav Husak, makes way for the first non-communist government since the 1948 Communist putsch.

December 16, 1989 - Romanian Security forces crack down on anti-Ceausescu demonstrations in Timisoara.

December 17, 1989 - Austrian and Czechoslovakian Foreign Ministers Alois Mock and Jiri Dienstbier symbolically cut through the border fence.

December 22, 1989 - Romania 's Ceausescu is visibly shaken at the presence of chanting crowds during what turns out to be his last official speech. He flees by helicopter.

December 22, 1989 - In Berlin, the Brandenburg Gate is reopened, though initially only for pedestrian traffic.

December 23, 1989 - Romania 's army turns against Ceausescu.

December 25, 1989 - Romania 's Nicolae and Elena Ceausescu are executed. Their bullet-riddled bodies are shown on national TV.

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