(CNN) – On Nov. 9, 1989, East Germany lifted travel restrictions to the West. Jubilant crowds tore down the Berlin Wall, piece by piece.
The Wall was a symbol of strife for so many.
Politburo member Guenter Schabowski announced that East German citizens could quote, "leave the country through East German border crossing points," effective immediately. That announcement was made after the East German cabinet resigned.
Almost half of the members of the Politburo were removed and replaced the next day.
The event marked the end of a symbol of pain for so many which all started decades before in February of 1945 when in the waning days of World War II, the allies' Yalta Conference divided Germany into four zones of occupation: Great Britain, France and the United States occupy the western and southern portions, and the Soviet Union occupies the eastern side.
Berlin, located in Soviet territory, was also divided into zones. Go to this site for more facts on the Berlin Wall.
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