1989: Brandenburg Gate re-opens

Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate opened for the first time in almost three decades on 22 December 1989.

Thousands of people spilled onto the city’s streets to watch the historic ceremony, which effectively ended division between East and West Germany.

Chancellor Helmut Kohl became the first West German leader to officially enter East Berlin, being welcomed by East German Prime Minister Hans Modrow.

BBC Archive: Originally broadcast on 22 December 1989.