On 9 November 1989, freedom of movement was implemented around the Berlin Wall that had divided East and West Germany, and scenes of civilians gathering around the Wall and breaking it with hammers and other tools were observed. The Nikkei Average closed at ¥35,657.42.
After World War II, Germany was divided into East and West, while Berlin was administered as an enclave divided between the two sides. The eastern side was aligned with the Soviet Union, while the western side belonged to the capitalist bloc centered on the United States, the United Kingdom and France. West Berlin was governed by the Western powers, and East Berlin by the Eastern bloc.
Construction of the Wall began on 13 August 1961. East Germany built it to prevent defections, and there were continual cases of civilians being shot or drowning while attempting to cross the border. Overall, more than approximately 200 people are said to have lost their lives during this period.
However, as economic weakness deepened and calls for democratization grew, the East German government ultimately decided to liberalize travel. On the night of 9 November, civilians gathered around the Wall and began breaking it with hammers and other tools.
The Nikkei Average closed at ¥35,657.42 on the same day.