Berlin Wall history: The role of journalist Riccardo Ehrman

The fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989, was significantly influenced by a question from Italian journalist Riccardo Ehrman. During a press conference, Ehrman asked Guenter Schabowski, the spokesperson for the German Democratic Republic (GDR), when the new travel regulations would take effect. His question, “Ab wann?” (From when?), prompted a response that led to the immediate opening of the border.

Ehrman, a Jewish-Polish journalist who served as an ANSA correspondent in Germany, passed away last year at the age of 92. His career included years of reporting under heavy surveillance in East Berlin. For his contributions, he was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit by the German government.

The Berlin Wall was originally erected on the night between August 12 and 13, 1961, to prevent citizens from fleeing East Germany to the West. While the GDR leadership termed it the “Antifaschistischer Schutzwall” (Anti-Fascist Protection Rampart), historical records indicate the barrier was designed to prevent the population from leaving the country.