Twenty-five years ago this November, the Berlin Wall—infamous symbol of divided Cold War Europe—seemed to be falling. But the opening of the gates wasn’t planned by the East German ruling regime, nor was it the result of a bargain between Reagan, Bush and Gorbachev. It was an accident. Tom Brokaw was there that night, broadcasting live from the Brandenburg Gate. Join Brokaw as he recalls this momentous event and its legacy in conversation with prize-winning historian Mary Sarotte, author of The Collapse: The Accidental Opening of the Berlin Wall.

Tom BrokawSpecial Correspondent, NBC News

Mary Elise SarotteVisiting Professor of Government and History, Harvard University

This event is free and open to the public.

Contact:

Roumiana Theunissen, rtheunissen@fas.harvard.edu