After the GDR government representative's unexpected statement about "freely crossing the border," people rushed en masse to checkpoints. The border guards, having received no clear instructions, opened the gates.

This night became a triumph of human will. People climbed onto the concrete slabs of the wall, danced, sang, and hugged. The bravest began to crush the barrier with hammers — thus appeared the first breaches in the symbol of the division of Europe. These shots were captured by photographers and remained in history forever.

This is one of the most iconic photos associated with the fall of the Berlin Wall. It was made on November 12, 1989, three days after the official opening of the border between East and West Berlin. Photo by John Gaps III, Associated Press photojournalist.

This image became a true icon: it reflected not only the fall of a wall but also the collapse of an ideological barrier, the unification of the people, and faith in change. The fall of the Berlin Wall became the prologue for the unification of Germany and the collapse of the Soviet bloc, marking the end of an entire era.