Chronology of the division of Berlin

1945

The final phase of World War II

4.02.-11.02. The Conference of Jalta regulating, among others, the division of Berlin in four sectors after the closing stages of the war.

30.04. Adolf Hitler?s Suicide

08.05. Total surrender of the German armed forces the and end of World War II

09.07. Establishment of the Soviet occupied sector.

17.07.-02.08. Potsdam Conference, agreements on the details of the division of Germany into four zones and essential rights and regulations concerning the division.

30.08. Establishment of the Allied Control Council in Berlin.

1946

21./22. April 1946 Merging of the political parties KPD and the SPD in the Soviet sector which formed the SED.

1948

24.07. Beginning of the blockades of the west sectors of Berlin by the Soviet Union.

in September: Political division of Berlin by splitting the town council

1949

04.05. End of the blockade of the west sectors of Berlin by the Soviet Union

07.10. Establishment of the GDR, the East-Berlin municipal authorities declare Berlin as the capital of the GDR.

1950

Unification of parties and mass organizations in the GDR, to a single list of candidates in the name of the National Front.

1953

17.06. National uprising of the people in East Berlin and other cities of the GDR

1955

29.11. The Soviet Union officially declares the Soviet sector of Berlin (East Berlin) as a part of the GDR, which therefore no longer underlies the control by the allied Forces. The Western powers reject this with reference to the Four-Power status of the city.

1956

18.01. The People?s Chamber of the GDR declares the establishment of a national People's Army

1961

13.08. Building of the Wall

The GDR closes the borders to West Berlin and the Federal Republic and begins with the construction of the Berlin wall. The connecting passageways of the public transportation system, such as trains and subways are interrupted.

1963

17.12. Right-of-Passage Agreement between the GDR and West Berlin. People from West Berlin are granted to visit relatives in the GDR for a limited amount of time.

1964

02.11. After the Right-of-Passage Agreement is ratified the first pensioners from the GDR are able to visit their relatives in West Berlin and the Federal Republic.

1967

20.02. The People?s Chamber passes a law concerning the new nationality of the GDR which replaces the former German nationality. East Berlin is included in this regulation.

1970

The GDR begins with the construction of automatic firing installations on the borders to the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG).

1971

03.09. Through the Four-Power Treaty free road access to Berlin is guaranteed.

1972

21.09. The Foundations Treaty defines the relations between the FRG and the GDR.

1976

Erich Honecker becomes Secretary-General of the ZKs and chairman of the Council of State.

1989

07.10. 40th and last anniversary of the GDR

09.11. Tumbling of the wall

Opening of the wall in Berlin.

1990

12.09. The Federal Republic, the GDR and the Four-Powers sign the Two-Plus-Four contract, which legitimized the reunification according to international and civil law in Moscow.

03.10. is the official day of the reunification of Germany