-
Talks begin
Round-table talks between Solidarity, the Communists and the Catholic Church. Partially free elections see widespread success for Solidarity, which helps form coalition government. -
USSR found guilty for Katyn Forest Massacure
Polish Government declares that the USSR (not Nazi Germany) was responsible for 1940 Katyn Forest massacre. This mass execution of Polish nationals was very costly towards revolution. -
Solidarity legalized
Solidarity legalized, signs agreement on elections in which it can contest 35 percent of seats in Sejm, all in Senat. -
USSR start to leave Hungary
Soviet forces begin leaving Hungary due to lack of resources. -
Hungary lifts Iron Curtain
Hungarian Government lifts "iron curtain" along border with Austria allowing people to travel from country to country freely. -
Call Elections
Years of crisis and opposition forces the Polish regime to call elections. Solidarity, which now backs the free market, wins them. -
Gorbachev spreads socialism
Gorbachev tells Warsaw Pact leaders they can choose their own road to socialism. Gorbachev urges Polish communists to join coalition government with Solidarity. -
New Prime Minister
Poland’s Tadeusz Mazowiecki becomes Soviet bloc’s first non-Communist prime minister. -
People flee through Poland
More than 17,000 East Germans flee to Austria via Czechoslovakia and Poland. Hungary opens border with Austria, allowing East Germans to flee. -
Hungary open borders with the West
Hungary opens border with the West. The exodus of East German refugees begins. -
Mikhail Gorbachev urges reform
While visiting East Berlin, Russian leader Mikhail Gorbachev indirectly urges reform. The first demonstrations against the East German regime take place. Gorbachev visits East Germany, urges Erich Honecker to adopt reforms. -
Protest for Democracy
One million East Germans protest for democracy in East Berlin’s main square. -
E. Germany's government resigns
East Germany’s government resigns -
E. Germans protest at border
Thousands of East German protesters go to border crossings demanding they be let through. The wall is breached and people begin to pull it down in celebration. -
Todor Zhivkov removed from power.
Bulgaria’s regime removes long-time dictator Todor Zhivkov from power. -
Elected President
Walesa elected president of Poland. Market reforms, including large-scale privatisation, are launched. Changes are being made as new cabinent members are selected.
