The Berlin Wall was effectively destroyed starting on the evening of November 9, 1989, when East German authorities opened the border, allowing people to cross freely. The physical dismantling began shortly after, with unofficial demolitions by citizens ("wallpeckers") continuing in the days and weeks after the border was opened. Official demolition by East German Border Troops started on June 13, 1990, and continued through the end of 1990, with the full removal completed only by 1994. The fall of the Berlin Wall marked the beginning of German reunification, which was formally completed on October 3, 1990.
