Hard Line to Sweeping Reforms--a Chronology

Months of political turmoil resulted in East Germany throwing open its borders to the West on Thursday. Here is a chronology of main events:

Sept. 10--Hungary opens border with Austria to allow departure of East German refugees. More than 30,000 eventually reach West in first big exodus of East Germans since Berlin Wall was built in 1961.

Oct. 1--East German leader Erich Honecker allows refugees in Bonn’s Prague and Warsaw embassies to take trains to West Germany. As first trains cross East Germany, more people jump on board.

Oct. 4--Riots in Dresden. Five thousand people mass at Dresden station, where some try to board trains taking refugees from Prague to West. Government remains firmly opposed to reforms and calls protesters “neo-Nazi thugs.”

Oct. 5--East Germany bans visa-free travel to Czechoslovakia, closing last easy escape route to West.

Oct. 7--East Germany celebrates its 40th birthday, with Soviet President Mikhail S. Gorbachev as guest of honor. Major cities erupt in pro-democracy protests, marring festival. Police detain hundreds of people after violent clashes.

Oct. 9--Honecker likens unrest to China’s pro-democracy uprising and says attempts to undermine communism will fail. Up to 70,000 protest again in Leipzig.

Oct. 16--More than 100,000 protest in Leipzig, signaling impatience with the government’s limited offer of change.

Oct. 18--Honecker, citing ill health, steps down as party leader, head of state and chairman of the National Defense Council. Party’s Central Committee appoints Egon Krenz, youngest member of Politburo, as party leader and nominates him for Honecker’s other posts.

Oct. 24--Government announces plans to ease travel restrictions, promising all citizens a passport and right to travel abroad.

Oct. 27--Government says it will lift ban on visa-free travel to Czechoslovakia beginning Nov. 1.

Nov. 3--Krenz announces resignation of five members of 18-man Politburo including hard-line ideologist and security minister; he appeals to citizens.

Nov. 4--Czechoslovakia opens border for thousands of East Germans to travel to the West after 5,000 cram into Bonn’s embassy in Prague. Mass exodus begins, continues over weekend.

Nov. 4--At least half a million demonstrate for democracy in East Berlin in largest protest since abortive uprising in 1953.

Nov. 5--Government announces details of new travel law. Culture Minister Hans-Joachim Hoffmann says entire Politburo should resign to allow Krenz to press ahead with reforms.

Nov. 6--Half a million demonstrators take to the streets in eight cities demanding free elections and denouncing new travel rules.

Nov. 7--Parliamentary committee rejects government’s draft law to ease travel restrictions, Cabinet resigns. Protesters march on party headquarters, demanding free elections. Guards at crossings into West Berlin stop checking cars for refugees.

Nov. 8--The flood of East Germans into West Germany from Czechoslovakia swells. Politburo resigns and is replaced by smaller body, minus some hard-liners but with Krenz still on top.

Nov. 9--Number of East Germans reaching West Germany from Czechoslovakia in six days exceeds 50,000. East Germany throws open borders.