The speech has certainly become iconic and symbolic, but it’s worth noting that the real reason the wall came down was more to do with the slow unravelling of the eastern bloc over the previous few years and the announcement that unrestricted travel would soon be permitted between the two Berlins.

The East German Government mishandled the communiqué and announced the new rules before they had finalized the plan for how travel between east and west would be managed. Impatient citizens just started dismantling the wall.

Gorby was at home watching an episode of ‘Ivan the Dancing Bear’ on TV with his wife Raisa when it was torn down.

Yeah.Russia must be real glad they listened to the Gipper.

Truly a coup for the man that presided over some of the most tense days of the Cold War. Reagan's bold request was a test to see if Gorbachev was truly serious about real reform in the Soviet Union and cooperating with the rest of the world to promote freedom throughout Europe. Thankfully, Gorbachev answered the call.